Target-responsive DNA/RNA nanomaterials for microRNA sensing and inhibition: The jack-of-all-trades in cancer nanotheranostics?

microRNAs (miRNAs) show high potential for cancer treatment, however one of the most significant bottlenecks in enabling miRNA effect is the need for an efficient vehicle capable of selective targeting to tumor cells without disrupting normal cells. Even more challenging is the ability to detect and...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Osorio De Castro Conde, Joao, Edelman, Elazer R, Artzi, Natalie
Other Authors: Institute for Medical Engineering and Science
Format: Article
Published: Elsevier BV 2018
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/114288
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8422-6792
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7832-7156
Description
Summary:microRNAs (miRNAs) show high potential for cancer treatment, however one of the most significant bottlenecks in enabling miRNA effect is the need for an efficient vehicle capable of selective targeting to tumor cells without disrupting normal cells. Even more challenging is the ability to detect and silence multiple targets simultaneously with high sensitivity while precluding resistance to the therapeutic agents. Focusing on the pervasive role of miRNAs, herein we review the multiple nanomaterial-based systems that encapsulate DNA/RNA for miRNA sensing and inhibition in cancer therapy. Understanding the potential of miRNA detection and silencing while overcoming existing limitations will be critical to the optimization and clinical utilization of this technology. Keywords: microRNA; RNAi; Nanomaterials; Surface modification; Biosensors; Cancer; Nanotheranostics; Translational medicine