title: Target-responsive DNA/RNA nanomaterials for microRNA sensing and inhibition: the jack-of-all-trades in cancer nanotheranostics?
abstract: microRNAs (miRNAs) show high potential for cancer treatment, however one of the most significant bottlenecks in enabling miRNA effect is the need for an efficient vehicle capable of selective targeting to tumor cells without disrupting normal cells. Even more challenging is the ability to detect and silence multiple targets simultaneously with high sensitivity while precluding resistance to the therapeutic agents. Focusing on the pervasive role of miRNAs, herein we review the multiple nanomaterial-based systems that encapsulate DNA/RNA for miRNA sensing and inhibition in cancer therapy. Understanding the potential of miRNA detection and silencing while overcoming existing limitations will be critical to the optimization and clinical utilization of this technology.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Harvard-MIT Division for Health Sciences and Technology, E25-449 Cambridge, MA, USA. Electronic address: jdconde@mit.edu.
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Conde
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Harvard-MIT Division for Health Sciences and Technology, E25-449 Cambridge, MA, USA; Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Elazer R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Edelman
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Harvard-MIT Division for Health Sciences and Technology, E25-449 Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Anaesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Artzi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020868:Gene Silencing; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics; D049329:Nanostructures; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D012313:RNA / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA
keywords: Biosensors; Cancer; Nanomaterials; Nanotheranostics; RNAi; Surface modification; Translational medicine; microRNA