Cyanobacteria-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: A Novel Frontier in Drug Delivery and Therapeutics

Cyanobacteria, known for their diverse and potent bioactive compounds, present a unique method for drug delivery via their extracellular vesicles (EVs), often described as exosome-like due to size and function but distinct in biogenesis. These naturally occurring vesicles, particularly those from cyanobacteria, are gaining attention as potential carriers for targeted drug delivery because of their biocompatibility, stability, and ability to encapsulate various bioactive compounds. However, cyanobacterial EVs remain underexplored as a dedicated nanocarrier platform, and their specific advantages and limitations relative to existing systems have not been systematically synthesized. This review explores the potential therapeutic uses of cyanobacterial EVs, emphasizing their roles in cancer treatment, antimicrobial therapies, neuroprotection, and immune modulation. We explore their biogenesis and structural features, comparing them to synthetic nanocarriers like polymeric nanoparticles and liposomes. The review also addresses the challenges of isolating and characterizing cyanobacterial EVs at scale and highlights the need for advancements in synthetic biology and genetic engineering to optimize their therapeutic potential. Despite these challenges, cyanobacterial EVs' unique properties offer significant promise for advancing drug delivery systems and providing innovative solutions for treating complex diseases.