Platelet Microvesicles as Targeted Anti-cancer Drug Delivery Tools

Platelets (PLTs) express surface markers targeting and being retained in the tumour sites where they degranulate and release extracellular vesicles (PEVs) also expressing essential targeting surface markers. In this project we investigate novel therapeutic strategy using PEVs as drug delivery system against breast cancer and glioblastoma. We have engineered technologies for the high-yield generation of 100-200 nm-size, non-prothrombogenic PEVs capable to the internalized quickly by various cancer cells. Doxorubicin could be loaded within PEVs to a concentration close to that found in liposomal doxorubicin, and the loaded PEVs exerted a differential and strong cytotoxicity effects on various cancer cells. The efficacy of drug loaded PEVs will now be evaluated in an animal model.