Exosome Biology for Nucleic Acid Medicine—From Bench to Bed

Dear Colleagues,

Exosomes are lipid bilayer-enclosed extracellular vesicles of approximately 100 nm in diameter and function as cargos for intercellular communication in vivo. They contain mRNA, microRNAs, proteins, lipids, and metabolites. Donor cells secrete exosomes and communicate with each other by transferring the contents to recipient cells. Cancer cells transfer exosomes to surrounding cancerous tissues and alter tumor microenvironments to progress their pathophysiological status. Using this cancer-derived exosome’s nature, therapeutic strategies against them have been investigated.

Nucleic acid medicines, including antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs, aptamers, and locked nucleic acids, have the potential to therapeutically regulate gene expressions. Development of drug delivery systems (DDSs) is also important to apply nucleic acids to clinical settings, and several useful DDSs have been developed; however, this strategy is limited to treating localized diseases so far. It is essential to develop a powerful DDS for the treatment of cancers.

To address this challenging issue, we focus on our discovery that cancer cell-derived exosomes have a tropism to transfer into cancer cells, and we have developed exosome-capturing antibody-conjugated nucleic acid medicines. This Special Issue will highlight the biology of exosomes and the clinical application of nucleic acid medicines for cancer therapy. We also expect to discuss the possibility to develop novel DDSs using the natures of exosomes.

Prof. Dr. Eishi Ashihara
Prof. Dr. Asako Yamayoshi
Guest Editors

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