Jinho Parka, Joonyoung Parka, Yihua Peia, Jun Xua, Yoon Yeoa, b, c,*
a Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, Purdue University, 575 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
b Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
c Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-791, Korea
*Corresponding author
Abstract
Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a promising drug candidate, expected to have broad therapeutic potentials toward various diseases including viral infections and cancer. With recent advances in bioconjugate chemistry and carrier technology, several siRNA-based drugs have advanced to clinical trials. However, most cases address local applications or diseases in the filtering organs, reflecting remaining challenges in systemic delivery of siRNA. The difficulty in siRNA delivery is in large part due to poor circulation stability and unfavorable pharmacokinetics and biodistribution profiles of siRNA. This review describes the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of siRNA nanomedicines, focusing on those reported in the past 5 years, and their pharmacological effects in selected disease models such as hepatocellular carcinoma, liver infections, and respiratory diseases. The examples discussed here will provide an insight into the current status of the art and unmet needs in siRNA delivery.
Keywords : RNA interference; small interfering RNA; delivery; pharmacokinetics; biodistribution