Oncolytic-adenovirus-expressed RNA interference for cancer therapy

Abstract

Importance of the field: RNA interference (RNAi) has generated considerable excitement for its potential cancer therapeutic applications. Because of the difficulties in delivering a large amount of siRNA to cancer cells and the short half-life of siRNA, it is important to choose an efficient delivery system for transduction of siRNA into target cells. Oncolytic adenovirus offers a better platform by virtue of its high transfection efficiency and selective replication in cancer cells.

Areas covered in this review: This review focuses on the synergism between oncolytic adenovirus and siRNA antitumor responses, and discusses recent progresses in oncolytic-adenovirus-expressed siRNA.

What the reader will gain: siRNA-expressing oncolytic adenovirus can generate a significantly enhanced antitumor effect through gene knockdown and viral oncolysis.

Take home message: Due to its potency and target specificity, using siRNA delivery by oncolytic adenovirus has generated much excitement and will open new avenues for treatment of human cancer.

Keywords::

• cancer
• gene therapy
• oncolytic adenovirouses
• RNA interference

Acknowledgements

D-S Pei & J-H Di contributed equally to this work.

Notes

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