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Updated: Jan 9, 2026

Practical Use of RNA Interference: Oral Delivery of Double-stranded RNA in Liposome Carriers for Cockroaches
Published on: May 1, 2018
Emerging nanotechnology-enabled siRNA oral delivery platforms.
Angelea Maestas-Olguin1, Maya M Dawson2, Emily Rhoades Clark2
1Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
Oral delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) using nanotechnology overcomes gastrointestinal barriers for effective gene silencing. This approach promises patient-friendly therapeutics, reducing reliance on invasive methods.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanomedicine
- Gene Therapy
Background:
- RNA interference (RNAi) utilizes small interfering RNA (siRNA) for sequence-specific gene silencing.
- Nanoparticle platforms have enabled clinical intravenous (IV) delivery of siRNA.
- Oral siRNA delivery faces significant gastrointestinal (GI) biological barriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review gastrointestinal barriers for oral siRNA delivery.
- To highlight advances in nanoparticle platforms for oral siRNA delivery.
- To explore translational aspects of oral siRNA nanomedicines.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of literature on oral nanoparticle and siRNA delivery.
- Searches conducted in University of New Mexico University Libraries, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed (April-November 2025).
- Focus on nanoparticle platforms, siRNA-loaded nanoparticles, gene therapy, and nanomedicine delivery.
Main Results:
- Nanotechnology-based strategies are emerging as solutions for oral siRNA delivery.
- Recent advances show promise in overcoming GI barriers for effective gene silencing.
- Oral siRNA nanomedicines offer potential to reduce parenteral delivery and monoclonal antibody use.
Conclusions:
- Oral siRNA nanomedicines represent a promising, patient-friendly therapeutic strategy.
- This approach could significantly decrease the need for invasive treatments.
- Advances pave the way for clinically viable oral siRNA therapeutics.
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