siRNA-based therapy for overcoming drug resistance in human solid tumours; molecular and immunological approaches

Harikumar Pallathadka; Majid Jabir; Khetam Habeeb Rasool; H Malathi; Neha Sharma; Atreyi Pramanik; Safia Obaidur Rab; Sabrean Farhan Jawad; Enwa Felix Oghenemaro; Yasser Fakri Mustafa

doi:10.1016/j.humimm.2024.111221

siRNA-based therapy for overcoming drug resistance in human solid tumours; molecular and immunological approaches

Hum Immunol. 2024 Dec 18;86(1):111221. doi: 10.1016/j.humimm.2024.111221. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Manipur International University, Imphal, Manipur, India. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Department of Applied Sciences, University of Technology, Iraq.
³ Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Mustansiriyah, Iraq.
⁴ Department of Biotechnology and Genetics, School of Sciences, JAIN (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
⁵ Chandigarh Pharmacy College, Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Jhanjeri - 140307, Mohali, Punjab, India.
⁶ School of Applied and Life Sciences, Division of Research and Innovation, Uttaranchal University Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.
⁷ Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
⁸ Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, Al-Mustaqbal University, 51001 Babil, Iraq. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁹ Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Delta State University, Faculty of Pharmacy, PMB 1 Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.
¹⁰ Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Mosul 41001, Iraq.

PMID: 39700968
DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2024.111221

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) is a primordial biological process that protects against external intrusion. SiRNA has the potential to selectively silence disease-related genes in a sequence-specific way, thus offering a promising therapeutic approach. The efficacy of siRNA-based therapies in cancer treatment has gained significant recognition due to multiple studies demonstrating its ability to effectively suppress cancer cells' growth and multiplication. Moreover, siRNA-based medicines have shown considerable promise in enhancing the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy and other treatment methods by suppressing genes that play a role in the development of drug resistance. Exploring and identifying functional genes linked to cancer cell characteristics and drug resistance is crucial for developing effective siRNAs for cancer treatment and advancing targeted and personalized therapeutics. Targeting and silencing genes in charge of resistance mechanisms, such as those involved in drug efflux, cell survival, or DNA repair, is possible with siRNA therapy in the context of drug resistance, especially cancer. Through inhibiting these genes, siRNA therapy can prevent resistance and restore the efficacy of traditional medications. This review addresses the potential of siRNAs in addressing drug resistance in human tumours, opening up new possibilities in cancer therapy. This review article offers a non-systematic summary of how different siRNA types contribute to cancer cells' treatment resistance. Using pertinent keywords, sources were chosen from reliable databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The review covered essential papers in this area and those that mainly addressed the function of siRNA in drug resistance. The articles examined in connection with the title of this review were primarily published from 2020 onward and are based on in vitro studies. Furthermore, this article examines the potential barriers and prospective perspectives of siRNA therapies.

Keywords: Cancer; Drug resistance; Molecular immunology; siRNA.

Publication types

Review