Nanomedicine-based use of siRNA in Cancer

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) possess the ability to silence genes with a high degree of specificity. This ability has resulted in its development as a potential therapeutic tool for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Although siRNA has the potential to be a powerful drug, its systemic delivery has remained a major obstacle. The main limiting factor preventing its use as a therapeutic agent is poor cellular uptake due to rapid siRNA degradation by serum nucleases and rapid clearance by the body. In order to overcome these factors, various approaches have been developed, although with different efficacy and safety profiles. Cationic liposomes have been one of the most popular nanoparticles to deliver siRNA, but their effectiveness has been hampered by potential lung toxicity. In this review, we highlight the preclinical use of 1,2-dioleoylsn- glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine and chitosan nanoparticles loaded with siRNA. We have demonstrated that both approaches are more effective than other current technologies and naked siRNA for systemic delivery of siRNA into tumor tissues and its associated microenvironment. Furthermore, we present an overview of emerging technologies that are being developed to improve siRNA delivery into tumors.