Topic: Extracellular Vesicles in Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy: From Liquid Biopsy to Targeted Nanomedicine

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microvesicles, have emerged as critical mediators of intercellular communication and are increasingly recognized for their pivotal roles in cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, immune regulation, and therapeutic resistance. By carrying diverse molecular cargos including nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, metabolites, and organelles, EVs faithfully reflect the molecular characteristics of their parental cells, making them highly attractive biomarkers for non-invasive cancer diagnosis and prognosis through liquid biopsy. Recent advances in multi-omics technologies, artificial intelligence, and single-vesicle characterization have significantly improved the sensitivity and specificity of EV-based biomarker discovery, accelerating their translation into clinical oncology.

Beyond diagnostics, EVs have gained considerable attention as naturally occurring nanocarriers for precision medicine. Their intrinsic biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and innate tissue-targeting capabilities make them promising platforms for delivering therapeutic nucleic acids, proteins, small molecules, gene-editing systems, and imaging agents. In parallel, bioengineered EVs and artificial nanovesicles have expanded the possibilities for targeted drug delivery, immunotherapy, radiotherapy sensitization, and combination therapies while overcoming many limitations associated with conventional therapies.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive platform for presenting the latest advances in EV biology and their translational theranostic applications in the oncologic arena. We welcome original research articles, reviews, perspectives, and clinical studies focusing on EV biogenesis, cargo sorting, liquid biopsy, biomarker discovery, artificial intelligence-assisted EV analysis, bioengineered EVs, artificial EVs, targeted drug delivery, cancer immunotherapy, radiotheranostics, tumor microenvironment, pre-metastatic niche formation, mechanisms of therapeutic resistance, clinical translation, manufacturing, standardization, and regulatory considerations. Contributions highlighting emerging technologies, interdisciplinary approaches, and clinical applications are particularly encouraged.

By bringing together leading experts from oncology, nanomedicine, molecular imaging, biomaterials, and translational medicine, this Special Issue aims to advance the development of EV-based precision oncology and accelerate the clinical implementation of next-generation EV theranostics.

Extracellular vesicles, exosomes, cancer, liquid biopsy, precision oncology, targeted nanomedicine, drug delivery, biomarkers, cancer immunotherapy, artificial nanovesicles