Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026
09:02
Nanoparticle Delivery of an Oligonucleotide Payload in a Glioblastoma Multiforme Animal Model
Published on: September 27, 2024
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
Summary
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.
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
00:59Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is a technique where a gene is inserted into a person’s cells to prevent or treat a serious disease. The added gene may be a healthy version of the gene that is mutated in the patient, or it could be a different gene that inactivates or compensates for the patient’s disease-causing gene. For example, in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) due to a mutation in the gene for the enzyme adenosine deaminase, a functioning version of the gene can be inserted. The...
00:59Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is a technique where a gene is inserted into a person’s cells to prevent or treat a serious disease. The added gene may be a healthy version of the gene that is mutated in the patient, or it could be a different gene that inactivates or compensates for the patient’s disease-causing gene. For example, in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) due to a mutation in the gene for the enzyme adenosine deaminase, a functioning version of the gene can be inserted. The...
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
02:49Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...