Special delivery: targeted therapy with small RNAs

Abstract

Harnessing RNA interference using small RNA-based drugs has great potential to develop drugs designed to knock down expression of any disease-causing gene, thereby greatly expanding the universe of possible drug targets. However, delivering small RNAs into specific tissues and cells is still a hurdle. Here, we review recent progress in overcoming systemic, local and cellular barriers to RNA drug delivery, focusing on strategies for targeted uptake.