Advancement in exosome isolation and label-free detection towards clinical diagnosis

Studies have demonstrated the promise of exosomes as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for disease diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic assessment. To facilitate their clinical application, exosome isolation, purification, and analytical techniques have seen significant advances in recent decades. These advances include methods utilizing exosome membrane structure, such as charge interactions, hydrophobic interactions, ligand interactions between nanomaterials and membranes, and size-based isolation and detection methods. Despite their potential, these innovative exosome separation methods have not yet been fully integrated. Additionally, reviews on exosomal marker assays have predominantly focused on immunolabeling methods. Additionally, label-free detection methods exploit the intrinsic properties of exosomes, enabling easier conversion of biological signals into measurable signals. Therefore, this review comprehensively explores current exosome isolation techniques and label-free detection methods, aiming to provide guidance to practitioners and advance the development of clinical diagnostic analysis of exosomes.