title: Application of RNAi to cancer research and therapy.
abstract: The introduction of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into cells can effectively and specifically lead to the degradation of corresponding mRNAs in a gene-dependent manner, which is defined as RNA interfering (RNAi). This powerful technology has been widely employed to manipulate gene expression in mammalian and human cells, elucidate signal pathways and identify gene functions in a whole-genome scale. Simultaneously, many pharmaceutical companies are very interested in the research and development of RNAi-based drugs for various diseases, especially in cancers. In present review, we attempt to recapitulate the potential application of this breakthrough technology in many aspects of cancer gene therapy such as genome-scale screens, target identification and validation, functional analysis and animal models for diverse diseases.
authors.affiliation: National laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101.
authors.forename: Fischer L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: James Q
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Yin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015195:Drug Design; D020868:Gene Silencing / Q000187:drug effects*; D018390:Gene Targeting; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D034622:RNA Interference / Q000502:physiology*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012106:Research
chemical_list: D034741:RNA, Small Interfering