# Microbe-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as Carriers for Doxorubicin Delivery to Colorectal Cancer Cells

**Authors:** Sujin Lee, Dagyeong Guk, Youngdo Jeong, Hansol Kim, Min Chul Park, Seong-Bo Kim, Sung Tae Kim

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/ph19020305 · 2026-02-12

## TL;DR

This study explores using microbe-derived vesicles to deliver doxorubicin to colorectal cancer cells, showing they can effectively carry and release the drug.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in demonstrating microbe-derived extracellular vesicles as effective and stable carriers for doxorubicin delivery to cancer cells.

## Key findings

- MEVs maintained structural stability under physiological conditions.
- Doxorubicin-loaded MEVs are internalized via clathrin/caveolae-dependent and dynamin-mediated endocytosis.
- MEVs show potential as nanocarriers for anticancer drugs.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Microbe-derived extracellular vesicles (MEVs) provide a biocompatible, naturally derived platform for drug delivery. Methods: We encapsulated doxorubicin in Lactobacillus plantarum-derived EVs and evaluated their ability at delivering doxorubicin to colorectal cancer cells in vitro. Endocytosis inhibitors were used to investigate the mechanisms by which the MEVs entered the cells. Results: The MEVs maintained structural stability under physiological conditions. Cellular internalization of doxorubicin-loaded MEVs involve clathrin/caveolae-dependent endocytosis, and dynamin- and clathrin-mediated pathways. Conclusions: These findings highlight the role of the microbe–cancer cell biointerface in mediating drug uptake and enabling intracellular delivery. The study supports the potential of MEVs as nanocarriers for anticancer drugs and provides mechanistic insights into the intracellular trafficking pathways that influence drug activity.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** doxorubicin (PubChem CID 31703)
- **Diseases:** colorectal cancer (MONDO:0005575)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** CPM (carboxypeptidase M) [NCBI Gene 1368], BLNK (B cell linker) [NCBI Gene 29760] {aka AGM4, BASH, BLNK-S, LY57, SLP-65, SLP65}
- **Diseases:** Colorectal Cancer (MESH:D015179), Cytotoxicity (MESH:D064420), injury to (MESH:D014947), cancer (MESH:D009369)
- **Chemicals:** LysoTracker (MESH:C493330), NaHCO3 (MESH:D017693), CytD (-), cytochalasin D (MESH:D015638), DOX (MESH:D004317), HEPES (MESH:D006531), penicillin (MESH:D010406), wortmannin (MESH:D000077191), ATP (MESH:D000255), chlorpromazine (MESH:D002746), bicinchoninic acid (MESH:C047117), CO2 (MESH:D002245), sucrose (MESH:D013395), lipid (MESH:D008055), PBS (MESH:D007854), 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (MESH:C007293), NaCl (MESH:D012965), methanol (MESH:D000432), acids (MESH:D000143), dynasore (MESH:C511794), potassium phosphate (MESH:C013216), methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MESH:C108732), Triton X-100 (MESH:D017830), streptomycin (MESH:D013307), carbon (MESH:D002244), ethane (MESH:D004980), HCK-123 (MESH:C528836), F4 (MESH:C006011)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (species) [taxon 1590]
- **Cell lines:** HT-29 — Homo sapiens (Human), Colon adenocarcinoma, Cancer cell line (CVCL_0320), HCT 116 — Homo sapiens (Human), Colon carcinoma, Cancer cell line (CVCL_0291)

## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12943624/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12943624