As membrane structural bodies secreted by cells, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have become a hot topic in the field of plant science in recent years. Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) play a key role in both plant physiological activities and the interaction between plants and the environment. These vesicles are involved in plant growth, development, and response to adversity by delivering signaling molecules, proteins, and other bioactive substances. Current studies have shown that PDEVs also exhibit promising potential for clinical applications, including as drug carriers, vaccine development, and biomarkers for disease diagnosis. In this paper, we review studies related to compositional characterization, isolation and purification methods, biological roles, and clinical applications of PDEVs. We aim to provide a systematic theoretical basis and practical guidance for future studies to promote their application in biomedical fields.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as natural nanoscale carriers with exceptional biocompatibility, target specificity, and drug-loading capabilities, positioning them as promising tools in the field of drug and vaccine delivery. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current research landscape surrounding EV-based delivery systems, highlighting their applications in mRNA vaccines and cancer immunotherapy. By examining the biological properties of EVs, along with contemporary methods for their isolation, modification, and functionalization, the review contrasts EVs with traditional nanocarriers such as lipid nanoparticles, emphasizing both their unique advantages and the challenges they face. Furthermore, we discuss recent clinical developments and ongoing trials that underscore the translational potential of EVs. Ultimately, this article aims to elucidate the pivotal role of EVs as next-generation platforms for advanced drug and vaccine delivery, offering insights into future research directions and therapeutic innovations.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) together with Lens culinaris-agglutinin-reactive fraction of AFP (AFP-L3) serve as the preferred tumor markers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis. The authors performed diagnostic value analysis on AFP along with AFP-L3 as individual biomarkers and together to determine the optimal biomarker option. Researchers evaluated 149 HCC patient sera and 70 healthy control sera using automatic microchip capillary electrophoresis and liquid phase combination-based analysis. They found the area under the curve value for the conventional marker AFP reached 0.844 and the diagnostic value of AFP-L3 was 0.923. The diagnostic effectiveness did not enhance as both biomarkers were combined for testing. The performance metrics of AFP-L3 increase during disease progression which leads to complete diagnostic sensitivity and perfect specificity and an area under the curve value of 1 during Barcelona clinical liver cancer and D stage.

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) have emerged as a novel class of bionanocarriers, garnering significant attention in the targeted delivery of antitumor drugs due to their low immunogenicity, excellent biocompatibility, and intrinsic antitumor properties. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the biological characteristics and extraction methods of PDEVs, emphasizing their recent advances in the field of antitumor drug delivery. We critically analyze the mechanisms by which PDEVs derived from various plants modulate the tumor microenvironment, enhance drug targeting specificity, and stimulate antitumor immunity. Furthermore, we discuss the advantages and current challenges faced by PDEVs as drug delivery vectors, including standardization, reproducibility, in vivo targeting evidence. The review also explores the promising potential of PDEVs in precision oncology, highlighting their role in improving therapeutic outcomes and minimizing off-target effects. This review aims to provide theoretical insights for the development and clinical application of PDVEs in the targeted delivery of anti-tumor drugs.