Extracellular Vesicles (Exosomes) As a Novel Therapeutic Approach in Gastrointestinal Diseases

Rebecca Murray, APRN, FNP-BC, CDE

Endocrine Nurse Practitioner, Institute for Hormonal Balance, Orlando, FL; Medical Director, Ward-Murray HealthCare Consulting, Groton, CT

The incidence of Gastrointestinal Diseases, including Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, is growing at an epidemic rate. The mainstay of present treatment includes high dose steroids and if not effective, the addition of “immune-modulating” medications including biologics that decrease the overall immune system and carry an increased risk for early onset cancer. In many cases, this treatment is not effective and the person has to resort to the removal of part of or their entire colon, altering their life forever. Research in the area of exosomes has clarified that these “non cell vesicles” have a beneficial biologic and physiologic function in immune-regulation and inflammation in the autoimmune process. Although there remains to be seen major studies published in the use of exosomes in specifically Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), much research has been carried out in the animal model for IBD, also in human studies regarding autoimmune diseases. This presentation will review the literature of the beneficial outcomes from the use of exosomes in IBD and autoimmunity and how this knowledge can be applied to the treatment of IBD refractory to other treatment options.