Recent advances in dendritic cell-derived exosomes in cancer and cancer stem cell therapy

Exosomes (EXOs), membrane vesicles, have garnered significant attention in cancer treatments as a novel means by which cells communicate with each other. EXOs are recognized for their pathophysiological participation in cancer therapy and their role in immune activation. Moreover, extensive research has been conducted on EXOs-mediated cancer treatment, demonstrating significant potential for targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs). Dendritic cells (DCs), which orchestrate the immune response, have been extensively utilized in immunotherapy. Similar to other cells, DCs can release nanovesicles, predominantly EXOs. Significant attention has been directed toward dendritic cell-derived EXOs (DC-EXOs) as immunotherapeutic agents for cancer treatment. Like DCs, DC-EXOs possess chemicals that engage with immune cells, including costimulatory molecules and functional MHC-peptide complexes on their surface. DC-EXOs offer several benefits over cell-based immunotherapies that employ DCs, including the ability to facilitate immune cell-mediated tumor eradication. Tumor peptide-loaded d DC-EXOs have demonstrated efficacy in Phase I clinical studies; a Phase II clinical trial is underway. This study has examined the therapeutic potential of DC-EXOs for CSCs and various types of cancer. The advantages and disadvantages of this therapeutic method were also reviewed to augment the anticancer efficacy and targeting of DC-EXOs for prospective clinical application.