title: Biodegradable nanocapsules as siRNA carriers for mutant K-Ras gene silencing of human pancreatic carcinoma cells.
abstract: The application of small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based RNA interference (RNAi) for cancer gene therapy has attracted great attention. Gene therapy is a promising strategy for cancer treatment because it is relatively non-invasive and has a higher therapeutic specificity than chemotherapy. However, without the use of safe and efficient carriers, siRNAs cannot effectively penetrate the cell membranes and RNAi is impeded. In this work, cationic poly(lactic acid) (CPLA)-based degradable nanocapsules (NCs) are utilized as novel carriers of siRNA for effective gene silencing of pancreatic cancer cells. These CPLA-NCs can readily form nanoplexes with K-Ras siRNA and over 90% transfection efficiency is achieved using the nanoplexes. Cell viability studies show that the nanoparticles are highly biocompatible and non-toxic, indicating that CPLA-NC is a promising potential candidate for gene therapy in a clinical setting.
authors: School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore.
authors: Guimiao
authors: G
authors: Lin
authors: Rui
authors: R
authors: Hu
authors: Wing-Cheung
authors: WC
authors: Law
authors: Chih-Kuang
authors: CK
authors: Chen
authors: Yucheng
authors: Y
authors: Wang
authors: Hui
authors: H
authors: Li Chin
authors: Quoc Toan
authors: QT
authors: Nguyen
authors: Cheng Kee
authors: CK
authors: Lai
authors: Ho Sup
authors: HS
authors: Yoon
authors: Xiaomei
authors: X
authors: Wang
authors: Gaixia
authors: G
authors: Xu
authors: Ling
authors: L
authors: Ye
authors: Chong
authors: C
authors: Cheng
authors: Ken-Tye
authors: KT
authors: Yong
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D020868:Gene Silencing / Q000502:physiology; D011905:Genes, ras / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D053769:Nanocapsules / Q000737:chemistry*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D053769:Nanocapsules; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering
keywords: biodegradable; gene therapy; pancreatic cancer; polymer nanocapsules; siRNA