Narrative review discusses extracellular vesicles versus traditional nanocarriers for drug and vaccine delivery

This publication is a narrative review, not a systematic review or meta-analysis, focusing on the use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as delivery systems for drugs and vaccines in comparison to traditional nanocarriers such as lipid nanoparticles. The scope includes evaluating the potential benefits and limitations of EVs based on existing literature, without specifying study populations, interventions, or outcomes in detail.

The authors synthesize qualitative conclusions, suggesting that EVs may offer advantages over traditional nanocarriers, possibly due to their natural origin and biocompatibility, but they do not provide pooled effect sizes, specific data, or numerical results. The review highlights ongoing research and theoretical frameworks, emphasizing that evidence is still emerging and largely preclinical or early-stage.

Limitations noted include the non-systematic nature of the review, which may introduce bias, and gaps in current knowledge, such as the lack of standardized protocols for EV production and characterization. The authors acknowledge that key details like sample sizes, follow-up durations, and safety profiles are not reported, limiting the robustness of conclusions.

In terms of practice relevance, the review cautions that while EVs show promise, their clinical application remains speculative and requires further rigorous studies. It advises clinicians to interpret findings conservatively, as no direct clinical recommendations or safety data are provided, and the comparison to traditional nanocarriers is based on theoretical rather than proven efficacy.