title: Intracellular delivery of RNA-based therapeutics using aptamers.
abstract: The clinical potential of siRNAs for silencing genes critical to disease progression is clear, but a fail-proof method for delivering siRNAs to the cytoplasm of diseased tissues or cells has yet to be identified. A variety of delivery approaches have been explored to directly or indirectly couple siRNAs to delivery vehicles. This review explores the use of synthetic single-stranded DNA and RNA aptamers as a means to deliver siRNAs, shRNAs and antisense oligonucleotides for therapeutic intervention. Topics covered include: the advantages and challenges of using aptamers as delivery tools; current aptamer-mediated siRNA delivery platforms for the treatment of cancer and HIV; and emerging methodologies for the identification of aptamers capable of internalizing into target cell types.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, 375 Newton Rd, 5202 MERF, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Kristina W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Thiel
authors.forename: Paloma H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Giangrande
mesh_terms: D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000235:genetics; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; C514793:gp120 protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1