RNA interference against human cancers: a perspective

ABSTRACT

RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural and highly conserved cellular process for targeting and specific cleavage of mRNA through small interfering RNAs (siRNA) of 21-23 nucleotides. RNAi approaches are now emerging as a novel coadjuvant therapy to correct abnormal expression of cancer oncogenes that contribute to sustained cell growth and chemotherapeutic resistance. Cancer cells undergoing RNAi-forced expression display novel genotype/phenotype as part of global gene expression changes, thereby increasing the activity of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs used in the treatment of cancers. Many delivery systems are in development, including virus vectors (retrovirus, adenovirus and adeno-associate virus), liposome complexes, nanoparticles and monoclonal antibodies, to carry the chemically synthesized 21-23 base-pair siRNAs or short hairpin RNA (shRNA) through the cell membrane into the cytoplasm and nucleus of the tumor cells. Here, we update the current uses of this approach in basic and clinical oncology studies.