RNA interference therapeutics for cancer: Challenges and opportunities (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Roop Singh Bora
    • Dikshi Gupta
    • Trilochan Kanwaljit Singh Mukkur
    • Kulvinder Singh Saini
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: April 18, 2012     https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2012.871
  • Pages: 9-15
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Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) is a sequence-specific, post-transcriptional gene silencing mechanism in animals and plants, which is mediated by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). There has recently been an increasing interest in harnessing the gene silencing activity of dsRNA to develop novel drugs for the treatment of various diseases, such as cancer, neurological disorders, age-related macular degeneration and viral infections. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based drugs have distinct advantages over conventional small molecule or protein-based drugs, including high specificity, higher potency and reduced toxicity. However, there are several technical obstacles to overcome before siRNA-based drugs reach the clinic. Delivery of siRNA to the target tissues and stability in the serum remain a major challenge and are the main focus of current research and development efforts. This review focused primarily on the progress made in developing RNAi as therapeutics for cancer and the challenges associated with its clinical development. Use of ligands recognizing cell-specific receptors to achieve tumor-specific delivery of siRNA, methods for enhanced siRNA delivery, improving the bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties of siRNA and reducing the off-target effects and non-specific gene silencing are discussed in the light of current evidence.

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July 2012
Volume 6 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 1791-2997
Online ISSN:1791-3004

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Spandidos Publications style
Bora RS, Gupta D, Mukkur TS and Saini KS: RNA interference therapeutics for cancer: Challenges and opportunities (Review). Mol Med Rep 6: 9-15, 2012.
APA
Bora, R.S., Gupta, D., Mukkur, T.S., & Saini, K.S. (2012). RNA interference therapeutics for cancer: Challenges and opportunities (Review). Molecular Medicine Reports, 6, 9-15. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2012.871
MLA
Bora, R. S., Gupta, D., Mukkur, T. S., Saini, K. S."RNA interference therapeutics for cancer: Challenges and opportunities (Review)". Molecular Medicine Reports 6.1 (2012): 9-15.
Chicago
Bora, R. S., Gupta, D., Mukkur, T. S., Saini, K. S."RNA interference therapeutics for cancer: Challenges and opportunities (Review)". Molecular Medicine Reports 6, no. 1 (2012): 9-15. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2012.871