Does EGF-Exo-DOX improve anti-tumor efficacy and reduce cardiotoxicity compared to Lipo-DOX in EGFR-overexpressing tumor models?
Engineered exosomes displaying EGF offer a promising targeted delivery platform for doxorubicin, potentially enhancing anti-tumor efficacy while minimizing cardiotoxicity in EGFR-overexpressing tumors.
Our findings demonstrate that tumor-derived exosomes engineered with EGF on their surface enable targeted drug delivery to tumors with high EGFR expression. Although the exosomes modestly increase cell proliferation in vitro, the EGF-Exo-DOX formulation exhibits enhanced tumor accumulation relative to the heart, minimal cardiac uptake, and shows no tumorigenic effects in vivo. Compared to Lipo-DOX, a widely used clinical formulation of liposomal DOX in China, EGF-Exo-DOX demonstrates superior cellular uptake, greater induction of tumor cell apoptosis, and improved anti-tumor efficacy. These results highlight the potential of engineered exosomes as a targeted drug delivery platform for patients with EGFR-overexpressing tumors.
Mao et al. (Tue,) studied this question.