title: Polymer-based non-viral gene delivery as a concept for the treatment of cancer.
abstract: Gene therapy has become a promising technique for the treatment of cancer. Nevertheless, the success of gene therapy depends on the effectiveness of the vector. The challenge of a gene carrier is to deliver exogenous DNA from the site of administration into the nucleus of the appropriate target cell. Polymer-based vectors are biologically safe, have low production costs and are efficient tools for gene therapy. Although non-degradable polyplexes exhibit high gene expression levels, their application potential is limited due to their inability to be effectively eliminated, which results in cytotoxicity. The development of biodegradable polymers has allowed for high levels of transfection without cytotoxicity. For site-specific targeting of polyplexes, further modifications, such as incorporation of ligands, can be performed. Most expectations have been addressed to polyplexes architecture according it dynamic response with the microenvironment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Wrocław University of Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspiańskiego 27, PL 50-370 Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Halama
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuliński
authors.forename: Tadeusz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Librowski
authors.forename: Stanisław
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lochyński
mesh_terms: D015870:Gene Expression; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers