Title:Non-Viral Delivery of RNA Interference Targeting Cancer Cells in Cancer Gene Therapy
VOLUME: 12 ISSUE: 4
Author(s):Pin-I Huang, Wen-Liang Lo, Jong-Yuh Cherng, Yueh Chien, Guang-Yuh Chiou and Shih-Hwa Chiou
Affiliation:Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University, Department of Medical Research and Education, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No.201 Sec. 2, Shih-Pai Rd., Taipei 112, Taiwan.
Keywords:Cancer gene therapy, liposomes, microRNA, non-viral delivery, nuclear localization signal, polymers, RNA interference, siRNA.
Abstract:RNA interference (RNAi) is a collection of small RNA-directed mechanisms that result in sequence-specific
inhibition of gene expression. RNAi delivery has demonstrated promising efficacy in the treatment of genetic disorders in
cancer. Although viral vectors are currently the most efficient systems for gene therapy, potent immunogenicity, mutagenesis,
and the biohazards of viral vectors remain their major risks. Various non-viral delivery vectors have been developed
to provide a safer approach for gene delivery, including polymers, peptides, liposomes, and nanoparticles. However, some
concerns and challenges of these non-viral gene delivery approaches remain to be overcome. In this review, we summarize
the recent progress in the development of non-viral systems delivering RNAi and the currently available preclinical
and clinical data, and discuss the challenges and future directions in cancer therapy.
