J Dig Cancer Res.  2025 Apr;13(1):1-8. 10.52927/jdcr.2025.13.1.1.

Exosome-based Therapeutics for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

• Kang SJ
• Rhee WJ

• KMID: 2567134
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.52927/jdcr.2025.13.1.1

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic inflammatory disorder that significantly diminishes the quality of life of patients. Current pharmacological treatments are often limited by low therapeutic efficacy and severe side effects, restricting their long-term application. This necessitates the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Exosome-based therapies have recently emerged as promising candidates due to the therapeutic potential demonstrated by exosomes derived from mammalian cells and plant sources in IBD management. These exosomes exhibit antiinflammatory effects by downregulating proinflammatory cytokine expression, modulating macrophage polarization, and promoting mucosal regeneration. However, scalability challenges and high production costs hinder the clinical translation of mammalian cell-derived exosomes. In contrast, plant-derived exosomes offer distinct advantages, including cost-effective large-scale production, enhanced stability, and reduced immunogenicity, positioning them as a emerging next-generation therapeutic modality for IBD. However, there are still some hurdles in the standardization of largescale exosome production and the precise elucidation of their therapeutic mechanisms. Future research needs to focus on optimizing exosome manufacturing processes, conducting mechanistic studies, and combinatory approaches to accelerate clinical application.

Keyword

Exosomes; Inflammatory bowel diseases; Exosome-based therapy; Mammalian cell-derived exosomes; Plant-derived exosomes