Engineered extracellular vesicles: From design strategies to therapeutic applications

Authors

• Fan Meng, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Yaochen Deng, Universiti Malaya
• Wenlong Li, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Aiping Zheng, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Mei Lu, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology
• Haonan Xing, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology Beijing

Document Type

Review

Publication Date

6-1-2026

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale, lipid bilayer-enclosed particles released by a wide range of cell types that facilitate intercellular communication by transporting bioactive cargoes such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Owing to their biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and intrinsic tropism, EVs have been widely investigated as potential carriers for therapeutic delivery. However, the clinical translation of native EVs remains hindered by limited drug-loading efficiency, suboptimal targeting specificity, and persistent challenges in scalable manufacturing and robust standardization. Recent advances in bioengineering and nanotechnology have enabled the development of engineered EVs with enhanced therapeutic performance. Through direct modification or genetic engineering of parental cells, EVs can be customized to efficiently encapsulate therapeutic cargo, display targeting ligands, and respond to disease-specific microenvironments. These engineering strategies significantly improve drug delivery efficiency, tissue specificity, and biological functionality while maintaining structural integrity and biocompatibility. Engineered EVs have demonstrated great potential in diverse biomedical applications, including cancer, respiratory infectious diseases, neurological disorders, and autoimmune diseases. We highlight the advantages associated with EVs derived from different cellular sources and analyze how these unique properties influence their performance in diverse disease contexts, and discuss the key challenges and future opportunities for their clinical translation in precision medicine.

Keywords

Artificial EVs, Engineering approaches, Extracellular vesicles, Nanomedicine, Therapeutic applications

Publication Title

Extracellular Vesicle

ISSN

2773-0417

DOI

10.1016/j.vesic.2026.100104

Recommended Citation

Meng, Fan; Deng, Yaochen; Li, Wenlong; Zheng, Aiping; Lu, Mei; and Xing, Haonan, "Engineered extracellular vesicles: From design strategies to therapeutic applications" (2026). Research Publications (2026 to 2030). 104.
https://knova.um.edu.my/research_publications_2026_2030/104

Volume

7

Publisher

Elsevier