Harnessing Exosomes as Cutting-Edge Drug Delivery Systems for Revolutionary Osteoarthritis Therapy

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint condition that causes pain and lack of mobility through the progressive degradation of joint cartilage. While there are several current pharmaceutical, physical therapy, and surgical treatments to address the symptoms of OA, researchers are interested in developing new therapeutic treatment approaches to address the relentless progression of the condition.

Considering their documented biocompatibility, immunomodulatory properties, and ability to precisely target specific cells and tissues, exosomes have recently emerged as a promising therapeutic option as a drug delivery system (DDS) for the treatment of OA. Specifically, these exosome-based strategies have demonstrated a safe and effective way to enhance cartilage repair, mitigate inflammation, and alleviate the persistent pain associated with OA.

While the benefits of exosome-based DDSs have been demonstrated in numerous studies, according to the author of this review, the specific application of this option for the purpose of treating OA has not been sufficiently explored. 

In this review, Lu et al. summarize the emerging developments surrounding exosome-based DDSs of OA and highlight the present challenges associated with this evolving therapeutic option.

Recent studies have demonstrated the benefit of using exosomes for the delivery of drugs designed to treat OA. Specifically, researchers have found that exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are able to be effective carriers for the delivery of specific molecules that lead to the promotion of chondrogenesis and improvement in cartilage regeneration. These same exosomes have also demonstrated themselves to be effective carriers for the localized delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs known for their potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.

Other studies show the potential of exosomes as an effective way to deliver growth factors to the affected joint in a targeted and sustained manner. The same exosomes have also demonstrated promise as a platform for gene delivery to areas affected by OA; a few of the notable advantages include the ability to safeguard genetic material from degradation and enable targeted delivery to specific cells and tissues.

While there is seemingly unlimited potential for using exosomes as DDSs in OA treatment, Lu et al. also call attention to several technical challenges and limitations that need to be addressed in order to fully maximize their potential and to ensure their safe application. These challenges and limitations include figuring out how to obtain a consistent supply of high-quality exosomes, developing effective methods that allows for efficient loading and controlled release of therapeutic molecules within exosomes, and a current lack of comprehensive long-term data regarding the safety and biocompatibility of exosome-based therapies. 

Despite these challenges and limitations, the authors conclude that exosomes have emerged as highly promising candidates for drug delivery in OA therapy and offer numerous advantages over conventional delivery systems. 

Source: Jun Lu, Yan Zhang, Xinquan Yang, Hongmou Zhao, Harnessing exosomes as cutting-edge drug delivery systems for revolutionary osteoarthritis therapy, Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Volume 165,2023,115135, ISSN 0753-3322, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115135.