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Winkle M, El-Daly SM, Fabbri M, Calin GA. Noncoding RNA therapeutics - challenges and potential solutions. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 20:629-651. [PMID: 34145432 PMCID: PMC8212082 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-021-00219-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 724] [Impact Index Per Article: 241.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic targeting of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), represents an attractive approach for the treatment of cancers, as well as many other diseases. Over the past decade, substantial effort has been made towards the clinical application of RNA-based therapeutics, employing mostly antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs, with several gaining FDA approval. However, trial results have so far been ambivalent, with some studies reporting potent effects whereas others demonstrated limited efficacy or toxicity. Alternative entities such as antimiRNAs are undergoing clinical testing, and lncRNA-based therapeutics are gaining interest. In this Perspective, we discuss key challenges facing ncRNA therapeutics - including issues associated with specificity, delivery and tolerability - and focus on promising emerging approaches that aim to boost their success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Winkle
- Translational Molecular Pathology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas State University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sherien M El-Daly
- Medical Biochemistry Department, Medical Research Division - Cancer Biology and Genetics Laboratory, Centre of Excellence for Advanced Sciences - National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Muller Fabbri
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - George A Calin
- Translational Molecular Pathology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas State University, Houston, TX, USA.
- The RNA Interference and Non-codingRNA Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas State University, Houston, TX, USA.
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Choi H, Choi Y, Yim HY, Mirzaaghasi A, Yoo JK, Choi C. Biodistribution of Exosomes and Engineering Strategies for Targeted Delivery of Therapeutic Exosomes. Tissue Eng Regen Med 2021; 18:499-511. [PMID: 34260047 PMCID: PMC8325750 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-021-00361-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Exosomes are cell-secreted nano-sized vesicles which deliver diverse biological molecules for intercellular communication. Due to their therapeutic potential, exosomes have been engineered in numerous ways for efficient delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients to various target organs, tissues, and cells. In vivo administered exosomes are normally delivered to the liver, spleen, kidney, lung, and gastrointestinal tract and show rapid clearance from the blood circulation after systemic injection. The biodistribution and pharmacokinetics (PK) of exosomes can be modulated by engineering various factors such as cellular origin and membrane protein composition of exosomes. Recent advances accentuate the potential of targeted delivery of engineered exosomes even to the most challenging organs including the central nervous system. Major breakthroughs have been made related to various imaging techniques for monitoring in vivo biodistribution and PK of exosomes, as well as exosomal surface engineering technologies for inducing targetability. For inducing targeted delivery, therapeutic exosomes can be engineered to express various targeting moieties via direct modification methods such as chemically modifying exosomal surfaces with covalent/non-covalent bonds, or via indirect modification methods by genetically engineering exosome-producing cells. In this review, we describe the current knowledge of biodistribution and PK of exosomes, factors determining the targetability and organotropism of exosomes, and imaging technologies to monitor in vivo administered exosomes. In addition, we highlight recent advances in strategies for inducing targeted delivery of exosomes to specific organs and cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hojun Choi
- ILIAS Biologics Incorporated, 40-20, Techno 6-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34014, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoorim Choi
- ILIAS Biologics Incorporated, 40-20, Techno 6-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34014, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwa Young Yim
- ILIAS Biologics Incorporated, 40-20, Techno 6-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34014, Republic of Korea
| | - Amin Mirzaaghasi
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Kwang Yoo
- ILIAS Biologics Incorporated, 40-20, Techno 6-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34014, Republic of Korea.
| | - Chulhee Choi
- ILIAS Biologics Incorporated, 40-20, Techno 6-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34014, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
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