Revolutionizing Medicine: Recent Advances in Nanosystems for Nucleic Acid Delivery Highlighted in New Review

A groundbreaking review article, published in the esteemed journal RSC Pharmaceutics, sheds light on the transformative potential of nanosystems for nucleic acid delivery in the treatment of various diseases. Authored by Shanka Walia and Mohit J. Mehta, the study explores innovative solutions to overcome the challenges of delivering nucleic acid-based therapeutics such as plasmid DNA, siRNA, and mRNA.

Nucleic acid therapeutics, recognized for their specificity and efficacy, have shown promise in addressing conditions ranging from genetic disorders and cancer to viral infections. However, their clinical application has been hindered by issues such as instability, degradation, and inefficient targeting. The authors emphasize the role of lipid-based nanocarriers in enhancing delivery, improving bioavailability, and increasing therapeutic effectiveness while minimizing off-target effects.

Dr. Mohit J. Mehta Lead author of the study, remarked, "This review provides a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge technologies in nanosystems and how they are shaping the future of personalized medicine. By leveraging these advancements, we can significantly improve patient outcomes in diseases that were once considered untreatable."

The review highlights key innovations in lipid-based delivery systems, including micelles, liposomes, and lipid nanoparticles. It also provides insights into the latest applications of nucleic acid-based therapies, such as mRNA vaccines and antisense oligonucleotides, which have already demonstrated success during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The article serves as an invaluable resource for researchers, healthcare professionals, and pharmaceutical developers aiming to harness the full potential of nanotechnology in medicine.

For full access to the article, visit Recent progress on nanosystems for nucleic acid delivery.

About the Authors
Shanka Walia is affiliated with Swami Sahajanand College of Computer Science, India, and Mohit J. Mehta is part of leading research group at Tampere University, Finland.
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2024/pm/d4pm00009a

Korea University Science
Korea University
145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk District, Seoul, South Korea
Email: mohit@korea.ac.kr

Nanotechnology Innovators
These enterprises specialize in the development of lipid-based nanocarriers such as liposomes, micelles, and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) highlighted in the article. Their primary contributions include:

Designing versatile nanocarriers: Developing systems that encapsulate nucleic acids effectively, ensuring protection from enzymatic degradation and enhancing cellular uptake.
Focus on scalability: Implementing scalable and cost-effective production processes to meet clinical and commercial demands.
Customization: Tailoring nanocarriers for specific nucleic acid types, such as siRNA, mRNA, and plasmid DNA, to address diverse therapeutic needs.
Biopharmaceutical Enterprises
Biopharma companies play a pivotal role in translating nanosystem innovations into viable therapies. According to the article, these enterprises contribute by:

Conducting preclinical and clinical trials to validate the efficacy and safety of lipid-based delivery systems.
Applying nucleic acid therapies for a wide array of diseases, including cancer, genetic disorders, and viral infections.
Partnering with research institutions to bring advanced nanocarrier technologies to market.
Research Collaborators
The academic and research institutions involved focus on the foundational aspects of nanotechnology as discussed in the article:

Investigating the physicochemical properties and tunability of nucleic acids for functionalization with nanocarriers.
Conducting studies to understand the mechanisms of intracellular delivery and cellular interactions.
Publishing findings on emerging applications, such as lipid-based nanocarriers for cancer immunotherapy and mRNA vaccine development.
Clinical Application and Distribution Partners
These entities are crucial for integrating nanocarrier-based therapeutics into clinical practice. Their role includes:

Establishing networks with healthcare providers for the real-world application of nanosystems.
Streamlining supply chains to ensure timely delivery of therapeutics to patients.
Educating clinicians and patients about the benefits and use of nucleic acid-based therapies enabled by nanotechnology.

This release was published on openPR.