RNAi Nanomaterials and Nanovehicles: Inorganic Nanoparticles for RNAi

Abstract The discovery of RNA interference (RNAi) has been enormously beneficial as a biochemical tool, and holds the potential to become an effective therapy for a variety of diseases, including cancer. To harness this capability, a safe and efficient short interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery system is required. The development of such an entity has posed a critical challenge to the drug delivery field. In recent years, advancements in the fabrication and functionalization of inorganic materials have provided an array of alternative tools for siRNA delivery in vitro and in vivo. The combination of the appropriate selection of siRNA targets, along with the use of increasingly sophisticated inorganic nanocarriers, will pave the way to expanding the therapeutic potential of RNAi, facilitating its translation to clinical use.