Controlled Gene Delivery Systems: Nanomaterials and Chemical Approaches

Successful gene therapy depends on the design of effective gene delivery systems. A gene delivery system is considered a powerful tool for the release of genetic material within cells resulting in a change in cell functions and protein production. The release of genes in a controlled manner by using appropriate carriers facilitates their release without side effects and increases the expression of genes at the released site. It is expected that significant changes in the combination of several genes and drugs can be provided by developing treatment systems sensitive to different stimuli such as redox potential, pH variations, temperature gradients, light irradiation, and enzyme activity. The most important advantages for the release of genes and stimuli-responsive therapeutics include delivering vectors locally, reducing side effects and causing no toxicity to distant tissues while at the same time reducing the immune response to the vectors. In this review, we aim to discuss different types of gene carriers involved in the controlled transfer of nucleic acids (non-viral inorganic and organic nanoparticles (NPs) and virus-like particles (VLPs)) as well as the simultaneous transfer of several genes and/or drugs into cells or different tissues, providing for an efficient and safe treatment of numerous diseases.