Abstract
Simple SummaryNucleic acids are showing tremendous potential in cancer therapy. However, their successful delivery to tumor sites is still a challenge. Herein, we report on the use of albumin-based nanocarriers for the delivery of nucleic acids because of their biosafety, ease of surface modification, and tumor targeting. In addition, we discuss various surface modification strategies to improve the internalization, efficacy, and specific tumor targeting of the albumin nanocarriers. Cancer is one of the major health problems worldwide, and hence, suitable therapies with enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects are desired. Gene therapy, involving plasmids, small interfering RNAs, and antisense oligonucleotides have been showing promising potential in cancer therapy. In recent years, the preparation of various carriers for nucleic acid delivery to the tumor sites is gaining attention since intracellular and extracellular barriers impart major challenges in the delivery of naked nucleic acids. Albumin is a versatile protein being used widely for developing carriers for nucleic acids. It provides biocompatibility, tumor specificity, the possibility for surface modification, and reduces toxicity. In this review, the advantages of using nucleic acids in cancer therapy and the challenges associated with their delivery are presented. The focus of this article is on the different types of albumin nanocarriers, such as nanoparticles, polyplexes, and nanoconjugates, employed to overcome the limitations of the direct use of nucleic acids in vivo. This review also highlights various approaches for the modification of the surface of albumin to enhance its transfection efficiency and targeted delivery in the tumor sites.
Highlights
Cancer is one of the major public health problems and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide [1,2]
We summarize the challenges associated with the systemic delivery of nucleic acids and discuss how albumin-based nanocarriers can overcome these obstacles
In a study by Sarett and co-workers, serum albumin was used as a carrier in vivo for small interfering RNA (siRNA) modified with a diacyl lipid moiety, which enhanced the pharmacokinetic properties of siRNA
Summary
Cancer is one of the major public health problems and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide [1,2]. Its success is challenged by the high molecular weight, enzymatic degradation, and anionic nature of nucleic acids [5,6] In this regard, nanostructures are gaining increasing popularity as nucleic acids delivery vehicles due to low off-target effects, improvement of current therapies, and protection of nucleic acids from enzymatic degradation [7,8]. In the case of the application of gene therapy in cancer, nanocarriers based on polymers, lipids, and metals are widely being investigated Their clinical application is limited because of their toxicity, scale-up complications, and immunogenicity [9]. In this regard, protein-based nanocarriers have shown promising use in cancer because of their unique features such as biocompatibility, safety, tumor targeting by surface modification, ease of preparation, and broad stability profiles. We highlight the current issues with albumin-based systems and several approaches to overcome those challenges by modifying the surface to improve the therapeutic efficacy and targeted gene delivery
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