Table 1 Summary of the current EV isolation methods with advantages and disadvantages

UC

Low technical requirements, suitable for large scale, simple pre-treatment, no extra contaminations, suitable for downstream analysis

Requiring large sample volumes for high efficiency, time-consuming, high initial capital cost,

[28, 30,31,32]

Size-based methods

Less time-consuming, low equipment requirement,

Blockage issues, membrane absorption

[61, 62]

Immunoaffinity capture

High purity and selectivity, suitable for complex and low-volume samples

High cost, low yield, extra elution steps

[28, 42]

Commercial kits

Equipment friendly, high yields, suitable for large samples,

Lower purity, false positives

[44, 45]

Microfluidics

Rapid, high-purity separation, portable

Not suitable for large scale, need extra validation

[50, 63]

Combination approach

Improved yield, efficiency and purity

Need further study and validation

[54, 55]