Technological advances in the use of viral and non-viral vectors for delivering genetic and non-genetic cargos for cancer therapy

Abstract

The burden of cancer is increasing globally. Several challenges facing its mainstream treatment approaches have formed the basis for the development of targeted delivery systems to carry and distribute anti-cancer payloads to their defined targets. This site-specific delivery of drug molecules and gene payloads to selectively target druggable biomarkers aimed at inducing cell death while sparing normal cells is the principal goal for cancer therapy. An important advantage of a delivery vector either viral or non-viral is the cumulative ability to penetrate the haphazardly arranged and immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment of solid tumours and or withstand antibody-mediated immune response. Biotechnological approaches incorporating rational protein engineering for the development of targeted delivery systems which may serve as vehicles for packaging and distribution of anti-cancer agents to selectively target and kill cancer cells are highly desired. Over the years, these chemically and genetically modified delivery systems have aimed at distribution and selective accumulation of drug molecules at receptor sites resulting in constant maintenance of high drug bioavailability for effective anti-tumour activity. In this review, we highlighted the state-of-the art viral and non-viral drug and gene delivery systems and those under developments focusing on cancer therapy.

Keywords: Cancer therapy; Cytotoxic payloads; Targeted drug delivery systems; Viruses.

Fig. 1

As a function of time, the effectiveness of the drug is dependent on steady concentration at the targeted site. Reduction in the optimal concentration renders the drug ineffective resulting in therapy failure and eventual relapse

Fig. 2

Mechanism of cellular transduction by adenoviruses, representing a fundamental pathogenetic pathway of adenoviruses, provides the basis for its wide application in biomedical sciences. After serotype-dependent binding to cognate cell surface receptors, HAdv gains entry by receptor-mediated uptake via clathrin-coated vesicles. Following endolysosomal cleavage and capsid disassembly by acidic digestion, escaped virions are integrating into the nucleus (Created in BioRender.com)

Fig. 3

Different targeting-ligands option using viral vectors. Through rational protein engineering techniques, different receptor-specific therapeutic payloads can be conjugated to viral surface for targeted delivery

Fig. 4

General comparison of viral and non-viral gene and drug delivery systems