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Nanocarriers for siRNA Delivery Aimed at the Treatment of Melanoma: Systematic Review
Brenda Regina de Araujo1, Tatielle do Nascimento1, Ana Paula Dos Santos Matos1
1Galenic Development Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Abstract:
Melanoma is a malignant skin cancer type with a high lethality rate due to active metastasis. Among the risk factors for its development is exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) and phenotypical characteristics such as clear skin and eyes. Given the difficulties of the conventional therapy, the high cost of the treatment and the low bioavailability of drugs, it is important to develop new therapeutic methods to circumvent this situation. Nanosystems such as micelles, liposomes and nanoparticles present advantages when compared to conventional treatments. The objective of this paper is to carry out a literature review based on articles that dealt with the use of siRNA-loaded nanosystems for the treatment of melanoma, with trials carried out in vivo to assess tumor size. The search was conducted in the Web of Science and PubMed databases considering the last 5 years, that is, the period between January 2017 to December 2021. The "SiRNA and Drug Delivery Systems and Melanoma" keywords were used in both databases, and the articles were analyzed using the inclusion and exclusion criteria established for this paper. The results obtained indicated that using siRNA transported via nanosystems was capable of silencing the BRAF tumor genes and of reducing tumor size and weight, not presenting in vitro and/or in vivo toxicity. Such being the case, the development of these systems becomes a non-invasive and promising option for the treatment of melanoma.
Insights
Nanosystems delivering small interfering RNA (siRNA) show promise for melanoma treatment by silencing BRAF genes. This approach effectively reduced tumor size and weight with no observed toxicity in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nanotechnology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Melanoma is a lethal skin cancer with high metastasis rates.
- Conventional therapies face challenges like high costs and poor drug bioavailability.
- Ultraviolet radiation (UV) exposure and certain phenotypical traits are key risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review literature on siRNA-loaded nanosystems for melanoma treatment.
- To evaluate in vivo studies assessing tumor size reduction.
- To identify recent advancements in melanoma nanotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies published between January 2017 and December 2021.
- Searches conducted in Web of Science and PubMed databases.
- Keywords used: "siRNA and Drug Delivery Systems and Melanoma".
Main Results:
- siRNA delivered via nanosystems effectively silenced BRAF tumor genes.
- Significant reduction in melanoma tumor size and weight was observed.
- No significant in vitro or in vivo toxicity was reported for the nanosystems.
Conclusions:
- siRNA-loaded nanosystems represent a promising, non-invasive therapeutic strategy for melanoma.
- This approach offers an alternative to conventional treatments with improved efficacy and safety.
- Further development of these nanomedicines could revolutionize melanoma treatment.
