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Updated: Feb 14, 2026
Delivery of Therapeutic siRNA to the CNS Using Cationic and Anionic Liposomes
Published on: July 23, 2016
Engineering functional inorganic-organic hybrid systems: advances in siRNA therapeutics
Jianliang Shen1, Wei Zhang2, Ruogu Qi3
1MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China. cesmzw@mail.sysu.edu.cn and School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China and Wenzhou Institute of Biomaterials and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Science, Wenzhou, 325001, China and Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. hshen@houstonmethodist.org.
Abstract:
Cancer treatment still faces a lot of obstacles such as tumor heterogeneity, drug resistance and systemic toxicities. Beyond the traditional treatment modalities, exploitation of RNA interference (RNAi) as an emerging approach has immense potential for the treatment of various gene-caused diseases including cancer. The last decade has witnessed enormous research and achievements focused on RNAi biotechnology. However, delivery of small interference RNA (siRNA) remains a key challenge in the development of clinical RNAi therapeutics. Indeed, functional nanomaterials play an important role in siRNA delivery, which could overcome a wide range of sequential physiological and biological obstacles. Nanomaterial-formulated siRNA systems have potential applications in protection of siRNA from degradation, improving the accumulation in the target tissues, enhancing the siRNA therapy and reducing the side effects. In this review, we explore and summarize the role of functional inorganic-organic hybrid systems involved in the siRNA therapeutic advancements. Additionally, we gather the surface engineering strategies of hybrid systems to optimize for siRNA delivery. Major progress in the field of inorganic-organic hybrid platforms including metallic/non-metallic cores modified with organic shells or further fabrication as the vectors for siRNA delivery is discussed to give credit to the interdisciplinary cooperation between chemistry, pharmacy, biology and medicine.
Insights
Functional nanomaterials are key to overcoming challenges in RNA interference (RNAi) cancer therapy. Inorganic-organic hybrid systems show promise for effective small interference RNA (siRNA) delivery, enhancing treatment and reducing side effects.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology and Nanomedicine
- Cancer Therapeutics
Background:
- Cancer treatment faces significant hurdles including tumor heterogeneity, drug resistance, and systemic toxicities.
- RNA interference (RNAi) offers a promising therapeutic approach for gene-caused diseases like cancer, with substantial research advancements in the last decade.
- Effective delivery of small interference RNA (siRNA) remains a critical challenge for clinical RNAi therapeutics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize the role of functional inorganic-organic hybrid systems in advancing siRNA therapeutics.
- To explore surface engineering strategies for optimizing hybrid systems in siRNA delivery.
- To highlight the interdisciplinary collaboration driving progress in this field.
Main Methods:
- Exploration of functional inorganic-organic hybrid systems for siRNA delivery.
- Review of surface engineering strategies applied to these hybrid systems.
- Discussion of progress in inorganic-organic hybrid platforms, including metallic/non-metallic cores with organic shells.
Main Results:
- Functional nanomaterials are crucial for overcoming physiological and biological barriers in siRNA delivery.
- Nanomaterial-formulated siRNA systems can protect siRNA from degradation, improve target tissue accumulation, enhance therapeutic efficacy, and reduce side effects.
- Significant progress has been made in developing inorganic-organic hybrid platforms as effective vectors for siRNA delivery.
Conclusions:
- Inorganic-organic hybrid systems represent a vital advancement in siRNA delivery for cancer therapy.
- Optimized surface engineering of these hybrid systems is essential for efficient and safe siRNA delivery.
- The development of these platforms underscores the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation in medicine and science.
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