siRNA and mRNA-Based Preventive and Therapeutic Strategies for HPV-Induced Cervical Cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV), specifically types 16 and 18, is the main cause of cervical cancer and a significant cause of death among women. Specifically, HPV E6 and E7 oncogenes hinder the normal cell cycle regulation, resulting in uncontrolled cell growth and cervical cancer. The available therapy options include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, which show success but also demonstrate notable complications. SiRNA (small interfering RNA) and mRNA (messenger RNA) therapies have emerged as precise and effective tools to silence the HPV E6 and E7 oncogenes and stimulate the immune system to fight against HPV infection, respectively, presenting a targeted therapy approach and overcoming the available therapy challenges. Nanoparticles and Pegylated liposomes are the delivery systems that increase the efficacy and safety of siRNA and mRNA therapies. This review critically appreciates the effective targeting of siRNA and mRNA-based therapies by highlighting their key advantages and limitations. Despite being a target-specific and effective approach, there are certain challenges like scale-up, cost-effectiveness, and developing stable delivery systems, which are required to be discussed. In addition, other precision medicine approaches, such as CRISPR/CAS-9, antisense oligonucleotides, or immunotherapy, have also been included as compared to siRNA/mRNA therapies. Their preclinical, patent, and clinical translations have also been discussed exhaustively.