Current strategies for DNA therapy based on lipid nanocarriers

Lipid based nanocarriers represent one of the most widely used strategies for the delivery of gene molecules. This review focuses on current strategies for the use of these nanocarriers that could open new horizons in DNA therapy and offer an opportunity to support the transition from resource-based approaches towards knowledge-based strategies.

The present review highlights the most promising approaches focusing on the development of safe, stable, and effective lipid-based carriers capable of delivering DNA to the proper target sites and cells. In addition, we intend to provide some insights in to future strategies that should be considered in order to break down barriers in the transformation of DNA basic-science breakthroughs into clinical applications.

On the basis of the significant advances in the design of lipid nanocarriers our impression is that they are, with respect to other systems, in a 'pole' position in the DNA therapy development race.