Lung diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide. The currently available
therapies are not sufficient, leading to the urgent need for new
therapies with sustained anti-inflammatory effects. Small/short or silencing interfering
RNA (
siRNA) has potential therapeutic implications through post-transcriptional downregulation of the target gene expression.
siRNA is essential in gene regulation, so is more favorable over other gene
therapies due to its small size, high specificity, potency, and no or low immune response. In chronic
respiratory diseases, local and targeted delivery of
siRNA is achieved via inhalation. The effectual delivery can be attained by the generation of
aerosols via
inhalers and
nebulizers, which overcomes anatomical barriers, alveolar macrophage clearance and mucociliary clearance. In this review, we discuss the different
siRNA nanocarrier systems for chronic
respiratory diseases, for safe and effective delivery.
siRNA mediated pro-inflammatory gene or
miRNA targeting approach can be a useful approach in combating chronic respiratory inflammatory conditions and thus providing sustained drug delivery, reduced therapeutic dose, and improved patient compliance. This review will be of high relevance to the formulation, biological and translational scientists working in the area of
respiratory diseases.