Nanoparticle-Based Delivery of Tumor Suppressor microRNA for Cancer Therapy

• Main Authors: Clodagh P. O’Neill, Róisín M. Dwyer
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-02-01
• Series: Cells
• Subjects: tumor suppressor mirna; cancer therapy; nanoparticle delivery
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/9/2/521

Improved understanding of microRNA expression and function in cancer has revealed a range of microRNAs that negatively regulate many oncogenic pathways, thus representing potent tumor suppressors. Therapeutic targeting of the expression of these microRNAs to the site of tumors and metastases provides a promising avenue for cancer therapy. To overcome challenges associated with microRNA degradation, transient expression and poor targeting, novel nanoparticles are being developed and employed to shield microRNAs for tumor-targeted delivery. This review focuses on studies describing a variety of both natural and synthetic nanoparticle delivery vehicles that have been engineered for tumor-targeted delivery of tumor suppressor microRNAs in vivo.