Exosome-Mimetic Nanoparticles for Intercellular Signal Interception in Metastatic Cancer

Muhindo Anitah

Department of Pharmacy Kampala International University Uganda

Email: anitah.muhindo@studwc.kiu.ac.ug

                                                                         ABSTRACT
Metastatic cancer progression is critically driven by intercellular communication networks that enable tumor cells to remodel distant microenvironments, evade immune surveillance, and acquire invasive phenotypes. Among the most influential mediators of this communication are exosomes nanoscale extracellular vesicles that transfer proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids between cells. Tumor-derived exosomes actively orchestrate premetastatic niche formation, promote epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and reprogram stromal and immune cells to support dissemination. However, directly targeting endogenous exosomes remains technically challenging due to their heterogeneity, abundance, and physiological roles. Exosome-mimetic nanoparticles have emerged as a powerful alternative, designed to structurally and functionally resemble natural exosomes while offering superior controllability, scalability, and engineering flexibility. These biomimetic systems can competitively intercept pathological signaling, sequester oncogenic cargo, or deliver therapeutic agents that disrupt metastatic communication pathways. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of exosomemimetic nanoparticles as tools for intercellular signal interception in metastatic cancer. We examine their design principles, mechanisms of action, and applications in blocking tumor–stromal, tumor–immune, and tumor– tumor communication. Preclinical progress, translational challenges, and future directions toward clinical implementation are critically discussed, highlighting their promise in next-generation anti-metastatic therapies.

Keywords: exosome-mimetic nanoparticles; metastatic cancer; intercellular communication; signal interception; biomimetic nanomedicine.

CITE AS: Muhindo Anitah (2026). Exosome-Mimetic Nanoparticles for Intercellular Signal Interception in Metastatic Cancer. NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES 7(2):115-120. https://doi.org/10.59298/NIJBAS/2026/7.2.115120