Tumor-targeted delivery of siRNA by non-viral vector: safe and effective cancer therapy

Abstract

RNA interference technology has been developed as a potential therapeutic agent for many indications, including cancer. Silencing a specific oncogene in tumor cells brings about cell death both in vitro and in vivo. However, there is a great need for powerful delivery strategies to enhance the therapeutic effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA). This review summarizes different signaling pathways inhibited by siRNA and the advantages of targeted siRNA as a delivery system.

Keywords::

• cancer therapy
• gene delivery
• liposome
• nanoparticles
• non-viral
• polymer
• siRNA
• targeting ligand

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Wei-Yun Sheng and Qi Yang for their help in preparing this manuscript. The original work from this laboratory has been supported by NIH grant CA129825.