Unlocking the potential of exosomes ‘extracellular vesicles’: drug delivery advancements and therapeutics in ocular diseases

Abstract

Overcoming the ocular barriers, such as the corneal, blood‐retinal, and conjunctival membranes, poses a significant challenge in ophthalmic drug delivery and therapy. These barriers serve a natural protective function and limit drug access into the eye. In recent years, interest has increasingly centered on exosomes, a subclass of extracellular vesicles with a diameter of 30 to 150 nm. Encapsulated within a lipid bilayer, exosomes naturally carry a variety of bioactive molecules, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, and play a crucial role in cell‐to‐cell communication and pathophysiology. Nonetheless, their ability to transfer cargos (proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids) to recipient cells provides an exclusive approach to the delivery of various therapeutic agents, such as small molecules or nucleic acid drugs, to target ocular tissues due to their remarkable biocompatibility, stability, low toxicity, and minimal immunogenicity. This review aims to discuss the research in progress on the advantages of exosome-guided drug delivery and ongoing clinical trials for ocular diseases and therapy. This work aspires to bridge the gap between bench research and clinical application, fostering treatments that remarkably enhance patient outcomes in ocular disorders.