title: Therapeutic potential of siRNA and DNAzymes in cancer.
abstract: Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, invasion, and metastasis and possess threat to humans worldwide. The scientific community is facing numerous challenges despite several efforts to cure cancer. Though a number of studies were done earlier, the molecular mechanism of cancer progression is not completely understood. Currently available treatments like surgery resection, adjuvant chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are not completely effective in curing all the cancers. Recent advances in the antisense technology provide a powerful tool to investigate various cancer pathways and target them. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) could be effective in downregulating the cancer-associated genes, but their in vivo delivery is the main obstacle. DNA enzymes (DNAzymes) have great potential in the treatment of cancer due to high selectivity and significant catalytic efficiency. In this review, we are focusing on antisense molecules such as siRNA and DNAzymes in cancer therapeutics development. This review also describes the challenges and approaches to overcome obstacles involved in using siRNA and DNAzymes in the treatment of cancers.
authors.affiliation: Hematologic Oncology, Stem Cells and Blood Disorders Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, (PO) Gachibowli, Hyderabad, AP, 500046, India.
authors.forename: Hanuma Kumar
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Karnati
authors.forename: Ravi Shekar
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Yalagala
authors.forename: Rambabu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Undi
authors.forename: Satya Ratan
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Pasupuleti
authors.forename: Ravi Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Gutti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D021881:DNA, Catalytic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055808:Drug Discovery; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D021881:DNA, Catalytic; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering