Designing siRNA-conjugated plant oil-based nanoparticles for gene silencing and cancer therapy

Chitosan-based smart stimuli-responsive nanoparticles for gene delivery and gene therapy: Recent progresses on cancer therapy

Recent cancer therapy research has found that chitosan (Ch)-based nanoparticles show great potential for targeted gene delivery. Chitosan, a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, has exceptional properties, making it an ideal carrier for therapeutic genes. These nanoparticles can respond to specific stimuli like pH, temperature, and enzymes, enabling precise delivery and regulated release of genes. In cancer therapy, these nanoparticles have proven effective in delivering genes to tumor cells, slowing tumor growth. Adjusting the nanoparticle's surface, encapsulating protective agents, and using targeting ligands have also improved gene delivery efficiency. Smart nanoparticles based on chitosan have shown promise in improving outcomes by selectively releasing genes in response to tumor conditions, enhancing targeted delivery, and reducing off-target effects. Additionally, targeting ligands on the nanoparticles' surface increases uptake and effectiveness. Although further investigation is needed to optimize the structure and composition of these nanoparticles and assess their long-term safety, these advancements pave the way for innovative gene-focused cancer therapies.

Tumor-targeted delivery of siRNA to silence Sox2 gene expression enhances therapeutic response in hepatocellular carcinoma

RNA interference (RNAi) is one of the most promising methods for the treatment of malignant tumors. However, developing an efficient biocompatible delivery vector for small interfering RNA (siRNA) remains a challenging issue. This study aimed to prepare a non-viral tumor-targeted carrier, named RGDfC-modified functionalized selenium nanoparticles (RGDfC-SeNPs). RGDfC-SeNPs were used to selectively deliver siSox2 to HepG2 liver cancer cells and tissues for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the current study, RGDfC-SeNPs were successfully synthesized and characterized. It was shown that RGDfC-SeNPs could effectively load siSox2 to prepare an antitumor prodrug RGDfC-Se@siSox2. RGDfC-Se@siSox2 exhibited selective uptake in HepG2 liver cancer cells and LO2 normal liver cells, indicating RGDfC-SeNPs could effectively deliver siSox2 to HepG2 liver cancer cells. RGDfC-Se@siSox2 entered HepG2 cells via clathrin-mediated endocytosis by firstly encircling the cytoplasm and then releasing siSox2 in the lysosomes. RGDfC-Se@siSox2 could effectively silence Sox2 and inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of HepG2 cells. RGDfC-Se@siSox2 induced HepG2 cells apoptosis most likely via overproduction of reactive oxygen species and disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potentials. Most importantly, RGDfC-Se@siSox2 significantly inhibited the tumor growth in HepG2 tumor-bearing mice without obvious toxic side effects. These studies indicated that RGDfC-SeNPs may be an ideal gene carrier for delivering siSox2 to HepG2 cells and that RGDfC-Se@siSox2 may be a novel and highly specific gene-targeted prodrug therapy for HCC.

Biomedical application of chitosan-based nanoscale delivery systems: Potential usefulness in siRNA delivery for cancer therapy

Gene therapy is an emerging and promising strategy in cancer therapy where small interfering RNA (siRNA) system has been deployed for down-regulation of targeted gene and subsequent inhibition in cancer progression; some issues with siRNA, however, linger namely, its off-targeting property and degradation by enzymes. Nanoparticles can be applied for the encapsulation of siRNA thus enhancing its efficacy in gene silencing where chitosan (CS), a linear alkaline polysaccharide derived from chitin, with superb properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, stability and solubility, can play a vital role. Herein, the potential of CS nanoparticles has been discussed for the delivery of siRNA in cancer therapy; proliferation, metastasis and chemoresistance are suppressed by siRNA-loaded CS nanoparticles, especially the usage of pH-sensitive CS nanoparticles. CS nanoparticles can provide a platform for the co-delivery of siRNA and anti-tumor agents with their enhanced stability via chemical modifications. As pre-clinical experiments are in agreement with potential of CS-based nanoparticles for siRNA delivery, and these carriers possess biocompatibiliy and are safe, further studies can focus on evaluating their utilization in cancer patients.