Study of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) for Effective Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as focal points in scientific inquiry due to their multifaceted roles and expansive potential applications. These diminutive, membrane-bound structures are discharged by cells into the extracellular milieu, facilitating intercellular communication by ferrying an array of biomolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and metabolites. This intricate communication network orchestrates pivotal physiological processes such as immune regulation, tissue regeneration, and the progression of diseases like cancer.

Moreover, EVs encapsulate a diverse payload reflective of their parent cells, rendering them promising reservoirs of biomarkers for diagnosing and prognosticating diseases. Researchers are actively exploring EV-based assays for diagnosing various ailments, spanning from cancer to neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disorders. Additionally, EVs exhibit innate targeting capabilities, enabling precise delivery of cargo to specific recipient cells, thereby positioning them as compelling candidates for therapeutic intervention.

Engineered EVs hold tremendous promise as vehicles for drug delivery across a spectrum of maladies, including cancer, infectious diseases, and genetic disorders. The intricate interplay between EVs, disease pathogenesis, biomarker identification, and therapeutic delivery has catalyzed profound advancements in EV research, further illuminating their potential applications in medicine.

Dr. Lee Wai Leng and her team showcased the feasibility of detecting cancer-specific proteins by scrutinizing urine samples from prostate cancer patients against those from healthy individuals. Employing Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, they meticulously analyzed the composition of EVs, accurately discerning those originating from cancer patients versus healthy controls.

Dr. Lee remarked, "Our findings suggest the viability of employing this technique for early cancer screening, precise disease staging, and grading." Detecting EVs also holds promise for monitoring treatment responses and the likelihood of disease recurrence. In a seminal study, Dr. Lee and her team unearthed several EV proteins with potential as theragnostic markers, pivotal for gauging patients' responsiveness to cancer therapies. This breakthrough underscores the essence of personalized medicine, tailoring treatments to optimize efficacy and safety for enhanced patient care. Beyond prostate cancer, Dr. Lee's team aims to assess the efficacy of EV-based diagnostics across various cancer types using diverse bodily fluids. Their pioneering work, "UEV diagnostic: Non-invasive test for prostate cancer detection," clinched a silver medal at the 31st International Invention, Innovation, and Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2020 in Malaysia.

Dr. Lee spearheads a dynamic research consortium at the School of Science, comprising researchers with proficient in biostatistics and analytical chemistry. Collaborating with urologists from multiple medical institutes, they are embarking on a large-scale clinical study endorsed by the Medical Research and Ethics Committee (MREC) of the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH). Dr. Lee's profound expertise and leadership in EV research garnered international acclaim, securing funding through the Horizon Europe work program "VOLATIVES" propelling her team to new frontiers.

Moreover, Dr. Lee's commitment to fostering collaboration is epitomized by her role in co-founding the Malaysian Society for Extracellular Vesicles (MySEV). MySEV serves as a unifying platform for Malaysian researchers devoted to EV-related studies, catalyzing knowledge exchange and innovation. The society's inaugural meeting in September 2023 culminated in its official registration in February 2024, marking a significant milestone in Malaysia's EV research landscape.

As the Secretary of MySEV, Dr. Lee collaborates closely with esteemed researchers from public and private higher education institutes as well as industrial partners. Together, they propel EV-based innovations and translational research, aligning MySEV with the global EV research consortium (ISEV) to foster impactful advancements within Malaysia and beyond.

Contact: Dr. Lee Wai Leng

Phone: 03-55146098

Email: Lee.Wai.Leng@monash.edu