Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
3
Combinatorial-designed Hyaluronic
Acid Nanoparticles for Tumour Targeted
Drug and Small Interfering Ribonucleic
Acid Delivery
Shanthi Ganesh, Arun K. Iyer and Mansoor M. Amiji
3.1 Introduction
One of the most challenging aspects of cancer therapy in the clinic
is the rapid acquisition of multidrug resistant (MDR) phenotype.
One effective approach would be to identify and down-regulate
resistance causing genes in tumours using ribonucleic acid (RNA)
interference therapy in order to increase the sensitivity of tumour cells
to chemotherapeutic challenge. To address this, we and several others
have engineered and screened a series of CD44 receptor targeting
hyaluronic acid (HA)-based self-assembling nanosystems for targeted
small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) and chemotherapy drug
delivery. We have demonstrated target specific localisation of HA
nanoparticles upon systemic administration by using different tumour
models with different levels of CD44 expression and vascularity.
Overall, HA-based self-assembling nanosystems developed in our
laboratory and several others were shown to be promising candidates
for the effective treatment of sensitive and resistant tumours
overexpressing CD44 receptors. It was also clear from those studies
that the combination of siRNA-mediated gene silencing strategy
with chemotherapeutic agents using these HA-based self-assembling
nanosystems constitutes a valuable and safe approach for treatment
of MDR tumours.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search