International Journal of Nanomedicine (Dec 2023)
A Comprehensive Review of Small Interfering RNAs (siRNAs): Mechanism, Therapeutic Targets, and Delivery Strategies for Cancer Therapy
Abstract
Jiaying Zhang,1,* Bo Chen,1,* Chunyuan Gan,1 Hongyan Sun,1 Jiaxin Zhang,2,3 Lin Feng1,4 1School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, People’s Republic of China; 2Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3Institute of Liver Diseases, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 4Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Lin Feng; Jiaxin Zhang, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery by nanocarriers has been identified as a promising strategy in the study and treatment of cancer. Short nucleotide sequences are synthesized exogenously to create siRNA, which triggers RNA interference (RNAi) in cells and silences target gene expression in a sequence-specific way. As a nucleic acid-based medicine that has gained popularity recently, siRNA exhibits novel potential for the treatment of cancer. However, there are still many obstacles to overcome before clinical siRNA delivery devices can be developed. In this review, we discuss prospective targets for siRNA drug design, explain siRNA drug properties and benefits, and give an overview of the current clinical siRNA therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. Additionally, we introduce the siRNA chemical modifications and delivery systems that are clinically sophisticated and classify bioresponsive materials for siRNA release in a methodical manner. This review will serve as a reference for researchers in developing more precise and efficient targeted delivery systems, promoting ongoing advances in clinical applications. Keywords: small interfering RNA, cancer, chemical modifications, delivery systems, bioresponsive materials
