Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (7): 1828-1838.doi: 10.12307/2026.066

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Plant-derived vesicles and malignant tumor therapy: cross-species communication and modulation of host cell responses

Huang Jiawen, Pan Zhiyi, Xue Wenjun, Lian Yuanpei, Xu Jianda   

  1. 1Department of Orthopedics, Changzhou Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changzhou 213003, Jiangsu Province, China 
  • Received:2025-01-26 Revised:2025-05-18 Accepted:2025-06-20 Online:2026-03-08 Published:2025-08-21
  • Contact: 徐建达,博士,副主任医师,硕士生导师,南京中医药大学常州附属医院,常州市中医医院骨科,江苏省常州市 213003
  • About author:Huang Jiawen, Master candidate, Department of Orthopedics, Changzhou Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changzhou 213003, Jiangsu Province, China
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 12372305 (to XJD); Jiangsu Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Project, No. YB20200053 (to XJD) 

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Treatments for malignant tumors often involve surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, but the adverse reactions associated with these methods severely affect clinical prognosis. Developing more effective therapeutic strategies for malignant tumors remains a hot topic in basic and clinical research. 
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the biosynthesis and preparation method of plant-derived vesicles, the advantages of using them as drug delivery vehicles and their application in malignant tumors.
METHODS: The relevant articles were searched in CNKI, WanFang, PubMed, and Web of Science databases with Chinese and English keywords “plant-derived vesicles, plant-derived extracellular vesicles, plant-derived vesicle-like nanovesicles, malignant tumors, cancer, drug delivery vehicles.” Finally, 73 articles were included for review analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Plant-derived vesicles, composed of a lipid bilayer containing various proteins and nucleic acids, can facilitate cross-species communication and modulate host cell responses. Modern research has found that plant-derived vesicles possess good biocompatibility, tissue-specific targeting, and the potential for large-scale production. They can directly act as anticancer agents to inhibit cancer cell proliferation, promote cancer cell apoptosis, regulate cancer cell cycles, and modulate the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, they can serve as drug delivery vehicles, carrying small molecule drugs and nucleic acids to tumor sites, enhancing drug antitumor effects, and overcoming drug resistance. 

Key words: plant-derived vesicle, extracellular vesicle, exosome, malignant tumor, cancer, drug delivery vehicle, engineered extracellular vesicle

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