title: Nanoparticle-siRNA: A potential cancer therapy?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore current developments in short interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery systems in nanooncology, in particular nanoparticles that encapsulate siRNA for targeted treatment of cancer. siRNA has a high specificity towards the oncogenic mRNA in cancer cells, while application of nanoparticles can improve stable delivery and enhance efficacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was performed using the terms "siRNA", "nanoparticles", "targeted delivery", and "cancer". These databases included Medline, Embase, Cochrane Review, Pubmed, and Scopus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  siRNA anti-cancer drugs utilize endogenous RNAi mechanisms to silence oncogene expression, which promotes cancer remission. However, current delivery methods have poor efficacy, requiring assistance by nanoparticles for successful delivery. Recently several preclinical studies have crossed into clinical trials utilizing siRNA nanoparticle therapeutics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Great potential exists for nano-siRNA drugs in cancer treatment, but issues exist with nanoparticle toxicity and off target siRNA effects. Further research is needed in this rapidly developing and promising field of nano-siRNA drugs.
authors.affiliation: Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Samuel Wang Sherng
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stenzel
authors.affiliation: Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: j.yang@unsw.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jia-Lin
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D034622:RNA Interference / Q000502:physiology*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering
keywords: Cancer Therapy; Nano-drugs; Nanoparticles; RNAi; siRNA