Nucleic Acid-Based Therapeutics for Glioblastoma

Title: Nucleic Acid-Based Therapeutics for Glioblastoma

Volume: 11 Issue: 8

Author(s): Alexei Shir, Alexander Levitzki, Ernst Wagner, Shoshana Klein and Manfred Ogris

Affiliation:

Keywords: Gene therapy, oncolytic virotherapy, poly IC, polyplexes, RNAi, Antisense RNA, RNA Interference, RNA polymerase, helicases, Oncolytic Viruses

Abstract: Nucleic acid based therapeutics offer the possibility of tailor-made treatment of malignant diseases. For recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive type of brain tumor, no accepted treatment exists, making therapeutically active nucleic acids a viable option. In this review, current preclinical and clinical studies harnessing the potential of antitumoral nucleic acids for GBM treatment will be considered. These include gene therapy to over-express antitumoral gene products, RNA interference to knock down components that promote tumor progression, and the tumor-targeted delivery of antitumoral double stranded RNA. Vectors applied in GBM for the delivery of nucleic acids will be discussed. These include non-replicating and replicating (oncolytic) viruses, as well as non-viral delivery vectors based on polycations or cationic lipids.

Cite this article as:

Shir Alexei, Levitzki Alexander, Wagner Ernst, Klein Shoshana and Ogris Manfred, Nucleic Acid-Based Therapeutics for Glioblastoma, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2011; 11 (8) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152011797378599