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Oligonucleotide delivery in cancer therapy

Giuseppe De Rosa1, Daniela De Stefano, Aldo Galeone

  • 1University of Naples Federico II, Department of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Via D Montesano n 49, Naples, Italy. gderosa@unina.it

Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery
|October 28, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Oligonucleotides (ONs) show therapeutic potential for cancer by correcting protein expression. Advanced delivery strategies are overcoming biological barriers, enabling ONs for human cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

  • Altered protein expression is a common driver of cancer.
  • Oligonucleotides (ONs) are synthetic nucleic acid fragments with potential to modulate protein expression.
  • Biological barriers impede the therapeutic application of ONs without effective delivery systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review non-viral delivery strategies for oligonucleotides (ONs) in cancer therapy.
  • To provide an update on the main ON delivery approaches.
  • To highlight strategies that have advanced ONs into clinical trials.

Main Methods:

  • Review of chemical modifications of the oligonucleotide backbone.
  • Analysis of non-viral delivery systems for ONs.
  • Evaluation of advantages and limitations of different delivery strategies.

Main Results:

  • Key non-viral strategies for ON delivery in cancer are summarized.
  • The review details the benefits and drawbacks of each approach.
  • Emphasis is placed on delivery methods that have facilitated clinical translation of ONs.

Conclusions:

  • Delivery strategy development has been crucial for harnessing the therapeutic potential of ONs in cancer.
  • Recent advancements offer new opportunities for using ONs in human cancer treatment.
  • The progress in ON delivery marks a significant step towards effective oligonucleotide-based cancer therapies.

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