siRNA therapeutics: Big potential from small RNAs

R. C.C. Ryther, A. S. Flynt, J. A. Phillips, J. G. Patton

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

270 Scopus citations

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) is now an umbrella term referring to post-transcriptional gene silencing mediated by either degradation or translation arrest of target RNA. This process is initiated by double-stranded RNA with sequence homology driving specificity. The discovery that 21-23 nucleotide RNA duplexes (small-interfering RNAs, siRNAs) mediate RNAi in mammalian cells opened the door to the therapeutic use of siRNAs. While much work remains to optimize delivery and maintain specificity, the therapeutic advantages of siRNAs for treatment of viral infection, dominant disorders, cancer, and neurological disorders show great promise.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5-11
Number of pages7
JournalGene therapy
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2005

Keywords

  • Cancer
  • Delivery
  • Dominant
  • RNAi
  • siRNA

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