Gene regulations and delivery vectors for treatment of cancer

Abstract

Background: Resistant residual cancer and cancer stem cells after comprehensive treatment often result in the recurrence of cancer. The refractory nature of cancer is an important scientific problem to be solved. Area covered: An emerging gene regulation strategy of cancer is involved in the cross field of chemistry, genomics, bioinformatics and pharmaceutical sciences, which could offer a possible solution to a curative strategy of cancer. Expert opinion: In this review, we dealt with the advances and applications of major gene regulation strategies, including DNA modification, gene editing and RNA regulations. Moreover, we also analyzed the representative transfection carriers for delivering the genetic material into cancer cells, including viral and non-viral vectors. Herein, we conclude that the gene regulation by a safe and high efficient transfection vector would be promising to provide a new treatment strategy for fully recovery of cancer disease.