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Anti-c-myc RNAi-Based Onconanotherapeutics
Saffiya Habib1, Mario Ariatti1, Moganavelli Singh1
1Nano-Gene and Drug Delivery Group, Discipline of Biochemistry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag, Durban X54001, South Africa.
Abstract:
Overexpression of the c-myc proto-oncogene features prominently in most human cancers. Early studies established that inhibiting the expression of oncogenic c-myc, produced potent anti-cancer effects. This gave rise to the notion that an appropriate c-myc silencing agent might provide a broadly applicable and more effective form of cancer treatment than is currently available. The endogenous mechanism of RNA interference (RNAi), through which small RNA molecules induce gene silencing by binding to complementary mRNA transcripts, represents an attractive avenue for c-myc inhibition. However, the development of a clinically viable, anti-c-myc RNAi-based platform is largely dependent upon the design of an appropriate carrier of the effector nucleic acids. To date, organic and inorganic nanoparticles were assessed both in vitro and in vivo, as carriers of small interfering RNA (siRNA), DICER-substrate siRNA (DsiRNA), and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression plasmids, directed against the c-myc oncogene. We review here the various anti-c-myc RNAi-based nanosystems that have come to the fore, especially between 2005 and 2020.
Insights
Targeting the c-myc oncogene with RNA interference (RNAi) offers a promising cancer therapy. Nanoparticle carriers are crucial for delivering RNAi agents to silence c-myc effectively.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- The c-myc proto-oncogene is overexpressed in most human cancers, making it a key therapeutic target.
- Inhibiting c-myc expression has demonstrated significant anti-cancer effects in early studies.
- RNA interference (RNAi) offers a mechanism for targeted gene silencing, presenting a potential strategy for c-myc inhibition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review anti-c-myc RNAi-based nanosystems developed between 2005 and 2020.
- To highlight the role of nanoparticle carriers in delivering RNAi effectors for c-myc gene silencing.
- To assess the clinical viability of RNAi-based platforms for cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature focusing on RNAi-based anti-c-myc therapies.
- Analysis of studies utilizing various nanoparticles (organic and inorganic) as carriers for small interfering RNA (siRNA), DICER-substrate siRNA (DsiRNA), and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression plasmids.
- Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo assessments of these nanosystems.
Main Results:
- Nanoparticles have been extensively investigated as carriers for anti-c-myc RNAi agents.
- Diverse RNAi effectors, including siRNA, DsiRNA, and shRNA, have been employed.
- Both organic and inorganic nanoparticles show potential for delivering these agents.
Conclusions:
- RNAi-based nanosystems represent a promising avenue for developing novel anti-cancer therapeutics targeting c-myc.
- The design and efficacy of nanoparticle carriers are critical for the clinical success of anti-c-myc RNAi strategies.
- Continued research in this area holds potential for broadly applicable and effective cancer treatments.
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