Engineering exosomes with iRGD for targeted RNAi therapy against pancreatic cancer mediated by long non-coding RNA PLBD1-AS1

Quick Facts

  • Publication title: Engineering exosomes with iRGD for targeted RNAi therapy against pancreatic cancer mediated by long non-coding RNA PLBD1-AS1
  • Journal: PLoS One
  • Year: 2026
  • DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0345697
  • PMID/PMCID: 41950246; PMC13061246

Research overview

This study identifies the long non-coding RNA PLBD1-AS1 as a functional oncogenic lncRNA enriched in PDAC exosomes. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism of exosome-mediated metabolic crosstalk in PDAC and establish a promising RNAi-based therapeutic strategy targeting this lethal malignancy.

Key findings

Tumor-derived exosomes play critical roles in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression by mediating intercellular communication within the tumor microenvironment.

This study identifies the long non-coding RNA PLBD1-AS1 as a functional oncogenic lncRNA enriched in PDAC exosomes.

We demonstrate that PLBD1-AS1 promotes tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by interacting with the glycolytic enzyme ALDOA and enhancing glycolytic flux.

Furthermore, tumor exosomes deliver PLBD1-AS1 to pancreatic stellate cells (PSC), augmenting their glycolysis and facilitating their activation into cancer-associated fibroblasts, thereby shaping a pro-tumorigenic microenvironment.

Echo Biotech Role

Echo Biotech contributed lncRNA/mRNA sequencing, cargo loading, targeting-peptide/surface modification; the study also used or cited ExoLoad®, ExoBrooch™.

Related platforms: Exoomics®, Echosome®, Research Reagents & Tools

Related services and capabilities: EV lncRNA/mRNA Sequencing, Small RNA / Cargo Loading, Targeting Peptide / Surface Modification, Research Reagent / Product Supply

Related products or reagents: ExoLoad® Nucleic Acid Loading Kit, ExoBrooch™ Targeting Peptide/Lipid Anchor Kit

References

Original publication: Engineering exosomes with iRGD for targeted RNAi therapy against pancreatic cancer mediated by long non-coding RNA PLBD1-AS1 PloS one. 2026. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0345697. PMID/PMCID: 41950246; PMC13061246.