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World J Stem Cells. Jul 26, 2026; 18(7): 120363
Published online Jul 26, 2026. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.120363
Published online Jul 26, 2026. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.120363
Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles as next generation drug delivery platforms
Sara Akhtar Khan, Department of Toxicology, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, Delhi, India
Saurabh Kumar Jha, Department of Zoology, Kalindi College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110008, India
Saurabh Kumar Jha, Department of Biotechnology Engineering and Food Technology, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, India
Prachi Tiwari, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Nursing Sciences and Allied Health, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, Delhi, India
Jagriti Narang, Department of Biotechnology, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, Delhi, India
Vinamre Gupta, Department of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging, National Audubon Society, New York, NY 10014, United States
Sachin Kumar Singh, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, Punjab, India
Kushi Anand, Department of Life Sciences, School of Biological and Forensic Science, Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be University), Bangalore 560077, Karnātaka, India
Ramya Lakshmi Rajendran, BK21 FOUR KNU Convergence Educational Program of Bio
Ramya Lakshmi Rajendran, Prakash Gangadaran, Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, South Korea
Ramya Lakshmi Rajendran, Prakash Gangadaran, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, South Korea
Suhel Parvez, Department of Medical Elementology and Toxicology, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, Delhi, India
Co-first authors: Sara Akhtar Khan and Saurabh Kumar Jha.
Co-corresponding authors: Prakash Gangadaran and Suhel Parvez.
Author contributions: Khan SA, Jha SK, Tiwari P, Narang J, Gupta V, Singh SK, Anand K, Rajendran RL, Gangadaran P, and Parvez S contributed to the conceptualization and overall design of the manuscript; Khan SA, Jha SK, Tiwari P, Narang J, Gupta V, Singh SK, and Anand K performed the literature review and drafted the original manuscript; Rajendran RL, Gangadaran P, and Parvez S contributed to the scientific structuring, critical discussion, and manuscript editing; Gangadaran P and Parvez S supervised the study, conducted critical revision, and approved the final version of the manuscript. Khan SA and Jha SK contributed equally to this work and are regarded as co-first authors. Gangadaran P and Parvez S served as co-corresponding authors and contributed equally to supervision, critical revision, and final approval of the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
AI contribution statement: Declaration of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process an AI-based tools (Wordvice AI or ChatGPT by OpenAI, GPT-5.2, accessed May 2026) was used under author supervision in a limited manner to improve English expression, clarify structure, and adjust word count in manuscript text and answer reviewers. The authors reviewed and edited the content independently and took full responsibility for the final manuscript.
Supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Education, No. NRF-2022R1I1A1A01068652.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Prakash Gangadaran, PhD, Professor, Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, No. 680 Gukchaebosang ro, Jung gu, Daegu 41944, South Korea. prakashg@knu.ac.kr
Received: February 26, 2026
Revised: May 9, 2026
Accepted: June 5, 2026
Published online: July 26, 2026
Processing time: 149 Days and 5.5 Hours
Revised: May 9, 2026
Accepted: June 5, 2026
Published online: July 26, 2026
Processing time: 149 Days and 5.5 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) can be modified to transport therapeutic agents like small drug molecules, RNA or proteins via various loading techniques. Engineered MSC-EVs facilitate focused delivery to affected tissues such as tumors, cardiovascular damage, neurological issues, inflammatory conditions and wound areas through receptor-mediated absorption and microenvironment-responsive pathways. The inherent biocompatibility, targeting ability and adaptability of MSC-EVs establish them as potential platforms for precision drug delivery and regenerative therapies.