Therapeutic potentials of noncoding RNAs: Targeted delivery of ncRNAs in cancer cells

Abstract

Knowledge of multiple actions of short noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) has truly allowed for viewing DNA, RNA, and protein in novel ways. The ncRNAs are an attractive new class of therapeutics, especially against undruggable targets for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Despite the potential of ncRNAs in cancer therapy, many challenges remain, including rapid degradation and clearance, poor cellular uptake, off-target effects, and immunogenicity. Rational design, chemical modifications, and delivery carriers offer significant opportunities to overcome these challenges. In this chapter, the development of ncRNAs as cancer therapeutics from early stages to clinical trials and strategies for ncRNA-targeted delivery to cancer cells will be introduced.