Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy.
Center for Translational Research on Allergic and Autoimmune Diseases (CAAD), Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy.
Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Aug 16;25(16):8934. doi: 10.3390/ijms25168934.
Anticancer therapy urgently needs the development of novel strategies. An innovative molecular target is represented by circular RNAs (circRNAs), single-strand RNA molecules with the 5' and 3' ends joined, characterized by a high stability. Although circRNA properties and biological functions have only been partially elucidated, their relationship and involvement in the onset and progression of cancer have emerged. Specific targeting of circRNAs may be obtained with antisense oligonucleotides and silencing RNAs. Nanotechnology is at the forefront of research for perfecting their delivery. Continuous efforts have been made to develop novel nanoparticles (NPs) and improve their performance, materials, and properties regarding biocompatibility and targeting capabilities. Applications in various fields, from imaging to gene therapy, have been explored. This review sums up the smart strategies developed to directly target circRNAs with the fruitful application of NPs in this context.
癌症治疗迫切需要新策略的发展。环状 RNA（circRNA）是一种创新的分子靶点，它是一种具有高稳定性的单链 RNA 分子，其 5' 和 3' 端连接在一起。尽管 circRNA 的特性和生物学功能仅部分阐明，但它们与癌症的发生和进展的关系已经显现出来。circRNA 可以通过反义寡核苷酸和沉默 RNA 进行特异性靶向。纳米技术处于完善其传递的研究前沿。人们一直在努力开发新型纳米颗粒（NPs），并提高其性能、材料和特性，以提高其生物相容性和靶向能力。已经探索了它们在从成像到基因治疗等各个领域的应用。这篇综述总结了直接靶向 circRNA 的智能策略，并总结了纳米颗粒在这方面的丰富应用。
