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Porous Silicon Microparticles for Delivery of siRNA Therapeutics
Published on: January 15, 2015
Nanocarrier systems for delivery of siRNA to ovarian cancer tissues
Eshrat Gharaei Fathabadi1, Andrew N Shelling, Raida Al-Kassas
1University of Auckland, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Auckland, New Zealand.
Introduction:
Novel therapeutic strategies have been investigated for ovarian cancer to reduce toxicity and to improve outcomes for patients. Short interfering RNA (siRNA), which directs the sequence-specific degradation of target mRNA and provides specificity of gene knockdown, represents a unique class of potential therapeutics for ovarian cancer. However, siRNA molecules are rapidly degraded in plasma and are unable to passively diffuse through cellular membranes. Nanocarriers can efficiently protect siRNA from in vivo degradation and are able to deliver these active macromolecules to tumor cells even after intravenous administration.
Areas Covered:
Strategies of gene therapy and the role of siRNA in ovarian cancer treatment are introduced, followed by an overview of nanocarriers for siRNA delivery, the advantages of the systems and the types of targeting to tumor cells. Classes of nanocarriers for delivery of siRNA, their functionalities and modalities are discussed with emphasis on the promising vehicles.
Expert Opinion:
Gene silencing therapy based on siRNA represents a possible opportunity for treatment of ovarian cancer patients. However, this approach requires selection of suitable nanocarriers that can safely and effectively deliver siRNA to the target site to induce its effect. Very little work has been done in this field; therefore, it is a good direction for future development.
Insights
Novel nanocarriers show promise for delivering short interfering RNA (siRNA) in ovarian cancer therapy. These systems protect siRNA and target tumor cells, offering a potential new treatment strategy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Ovarian cancer treatment seeks reduced toxicity and improved outcomes.
- Short interfering RNA (siRNA) offers specific gene knockdown for cancer therapy.
- siRNA faces challenges like degradation and poor cell membrane penetration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore siRNA as a therapeutic strategy for ovarian cancer.
- To review nanocarrier systems for effective siRNA delivery.
- To highlight the potential of targeted nanocarriers in ovarian cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Overview of gene therapy and siRNA in ovarian cancer.
- Discussion of nanocarrier advantages and targeting strategies.
- Analysis of various nanocarrier classes for siRNA delivery.
Main Results:
- Nanocarriers protect siRNA from degradation.
- Nanocarriers facilitate intravenous delivery of siRNA to tumor cells.
- Targeted nanocarriers enhance siRNA efficacy.
Conclusions:
- siRNA gene silencing therapy is a potential ovarian cancer treatment.
- Effective and safe nanocarriers are crucial for siRNA delivery.
- Further research into nanocarrier development for siRNA is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
02:15Experimental RNAi
02:30siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the ATP-dependent...
01:23RNA Interference
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...