Exosomes are small membranous vesicles implicated in intercellular signalling. Through their uncanny ability to carry and deliver donor cellular cargo (biomolecules) to target cells, they exert a profound effect on the regular functioning of healthy cells and play a significant role in pathogenesis and progression of several diseases, including cancer. The composition and number of endogenously circulating exosomes frequently vary, which is often reflective of the pathophysiological status of the cell. Applicability of exosomes derived from normal cells as a drug carrier with or without modifying their intraluminal and surface components are generally tested. Conversely, exosomes also are reported to contribute to resistance towards several anti-cancer therapies. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully evaluate the role of exosomes in cancer progression and resistance and the potential use of exosomes as delivery vehicle of cancer therapeutics. In this review, we summarize the recent advancements in the exploitation of exosomes as a drug delivery vehicle. We also discuss the role of exosomes in conferring resistance to anti-cancer therapeutics. It is to be noted that while the present article provides information about the characteristics, composition and outcome of exosome-mediated therapeutics in cancer, the role of exosome in resistance and exosome-based drug delivery is also applicable to other human diseases.

中文翻译：

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外泌体作为药物递送载体和抗癌药物耐药性的贡献者。

外泌体是与细胞间信号传导有关的小膜囊泡。通过它们携带和递送供体细胞货物（生物分子）到靶细胞的不可思议的能力，它们对健康细胞的正常功能产生深远的影响，并在包括癌症在内的多种疾病的发病机制和进展中发挥重要作用。内源性循环外泌体的组成和数量经常变化，这通常反映了细胞的病理生理状态。通常测试源自正常细胞的外泌体作为药物载体的适用性，无论是否对其腔内和表面成分进行修饰。相反，据报道，外泌体也有助于对几种抗癌疗法产生抗性。所以，有必要仔细评估外泌体在癌症进展和耐药性中的作用，以及外泌体作为癌症治疗载体的潜在用途。在这篇综述中，我们总结了利用外泌体作为药物输送载体的最新进展。我们还讨论了外泌体在赋予抗癌疗法抗性方面的作用。需要注意的是，虽然本文提供了有关外泌体介导的癌症治疗的特征、组成和结果的信息，但外泌体在耐药性和基于外泌体的药物递送中的作用也适用于其他人类疾病。我们总结了利用外泌体作为药物输送载体的最新进展。我们还讨论了外泌体在赋予抗癌疗法抗性方面的作用。需要注意的是，虽然本文提供了有关外泌体介导的癌症治疗的特征、组成和结果的信息，但外泌体在耐药性和基于外泌体的药物递送中的作用也适用于其他人类疾病。我们总结了利用外泌体作为药物输送载体的最新进展。我们还讨论了外泌体在赋予抗癌疗法抗性方面的作用。需要注意的是，虽然本文提供了有关外泌体介导的癌症治疗的特征、组成和结果的信息，但外泌体在耐药性和基于外泌体的药物递送中的作用也适用于其他人类疾病。