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The high mortality rates of cancer patients receiving standard treatments emphasize the crucial need for alternative treatments. One promising strategy is to use organic nanoparticles (NPs) for gene delivery. Although multifunctional NPs theoretically have many desirable properties as gene vectors, there are several practical barriers to successful gene delivery. In this review we discuss the properties of NPs and overview in vitro and preclinical studies of organic NPs over the past 5 years. The results of recent clinical trials suggest that the NP field holds significant promise. The annual market value for successful gene delivery could exceed US$30 billion, and this will encourage researchers to study the application of NPs to therapeutic gene delivery.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.tibtech.2016.12.009

Type

Journal article

Journal

Trends Biotechnol

Publication Date

05/2017

Volume

35

Pages

434 - 451

Keywords

Animals, DNA, Genetic Therapy, Humans, Nanocapsules, Nanotechnology, Neoplasms, Transfection, Treatment Outcome