The development of therapeutic nucleic acids has led to new strategies for
treating various diseases. Non-viral, synthetic nano-vectors in gene therapy have
attracted increasing attention due to their low immunogenicity and low toxicity
compared to viral counterparts. Due to the molecular structure of nucleic acids, they are
very prone to degradation in pH sensitive biological environments. Therefore, synthetic
nano-vehicles for therapeutic delivery, known as ‘nano-vectors’, need to be cleverly
designed and engineered to protect and deliver appropriate therapeutic nucleic acids to
the targeted sites for action. In this chapter, a brief overview of various types of
therapeutic nucleic acids is first provided, followed by analysis of the synthetic nanomaterials
under development as delivery systems to carry nucleic acids. The nucleic
acid-encapsulated nano-vectors discussed here open a window for a new generation of
nanomedicine.
Keywords: Cancer, chitosan, co-delivery, delivery, dendrimer, gene therapy,
gold, inorganic, iron oxide, liposomes, magnetic, nanocarriers, nanoparticles,
nano-vectors, nucleic acid, pDNA, polymer, rheumatoid arthritis, silica, siRNA.
