title: Challenges and opportunities for siRNA-based cancer treatment.
abstract: As one of the life-threatening diseases involving multi-step genetic and epigenetic disorders, cancer has long been a dynamic research area for siRNA-based therapy as half of the current siRNA-based clinical trials are involved in oncology. However, despite consistent enthusiasm in the academic world, siRNA-based cancer treatment still faces obstacles and difficulties in clinical development. In this article, we discuss key challenges facing siRNA-based cancer treatment revealed from recent clinical and preclinical studies, including chemical modification, tumour penetration, endosomal escape, target selection and off-target effects. In addition, opportunities and avenues for translating siRNA technology from bench to oncologic clinics are explored.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; School of Medicine, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3217, Australia.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3217, Australia.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shigdar
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3217, Australia.
authors.forename: Hadi Al
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Shamaileh
authors.affiliation: Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Gantier
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3217, Australia.
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3217, Australia.
authors.forename: Dongxi
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
authors.forename: Shu-Feng
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China.
authors.forename: Yingchun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
authors.forename: Weihong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Dalian Sixth People's Hospital, Dalian, Liaoning Province 116033, China. Electronic address: dahaixiaowen@163.com.
authors.forename: Chunwen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pu
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3217, Australia. Electronic address: wduan@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Duan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020868:Gene Silencing; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering
keywords: EPR effect; Endosome escape; Nanoparticle; Off-target; RNA interference; Tumour