mRNA Encapsulated Ectosome-Liposome Hybrid for Anticancer Therapy

Recently, artificial liposomes were developed as an effective carrier for the COVID-19 vaccine. However, liposomes are not sufficient to use for the treatment of diverse diseases due to the absence of the ability for targeting pathophysiological sites. In this regard, ectosomes, a type of nano vesicles composed of cell membrane can be endowed with target ability, is a promising drug delivery vector. In this study, macrophage derived ectosome shows greater cancer targeting efficacy. Macrophages can migrate to the cancer cells and additionally can release pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-a, IL-1b, and IL-6. Macrophage-derived ectosomes fused with liposomes, hybrid nano formation (ecto-liposome), enhanced the anticancer efficacy of delivery to malignant tumor tissues. Specifically, a mRNA, regulating signaling pathways involved in cancer, was encapsulated in ecto-liposome inhibited cancer cell growth and suppressed chance of metastasis. Obtained results in this study clearly suggested that the mRNA encapsulated ecto-liposome is highly effective and thus, represents a novel strategy for the treatment of anti-cancer therapy.