title: Progress in developing cationic vectors for non-viral systemic gene therapy against cancer.
abstract: Initially, gene therapy was viewed as an approach for treating hereditary diseases, but its potential role in the treatment of acquired diseases such as cancer is now widely recognized. The understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in cancer and the development of nucleic acid delivery systems are two concepts that have led to this development. Systemic gene delivery systems are needed for therapeutic application to cells inaccessible by percutaneous injection and for multi-located tumor sites, i.e. metastases. Non-viral vectors based on the use of cationic lipids or polymers appear to have promising potential, given the problems of safety encountered with viral vectors. Using these non-viral vectors, the current challenge is to obtain a similarly effective transfection to viral ones. Based on the advantages and disadvantages of existing vectors and on the hurdles encountered with these carriers, the aim of this review is to describe the "perfect vector" for systemic gene therapy against cancer.
authors.affiliation: Inserm U646, Ingénierie de la Vectorisation Particulaire, Université d'Angers, 10, rue André Boquel, 49100 Angers, France.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morille
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Passirani
authors.forename: Arnaud
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vonarbourg
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clavreul
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Benoit
mesh_terms: D002412:Cations / Q000737:chemistry*; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D002412:Cations; D008055:Lipids; D011108:Polymers