RNAi as a new therapeutic strategy against HCV

• Published in: Biotechnology advances Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 27 - 34
• Main Authors: Khaliq, Saba, Khaliq, Sadaf A., Zahur, Muzna, Ijaz, Bushra, Jahan, Shah, Ansar, Muhammad, Riazuddin, Sheikh, Hassan, Sajida
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Inc 2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Drug Delivery Systems - methods; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genes, Viral; Hepacivirus - genetics; Hepatitis C - therapy; Hepatitis C - virology; Hepatitis C Virus; Humans; RNA Interference; RNA, Small Interfering - administration & dosage; RNA, Small Interfering - genetics; RNAi; siRNA delivery; siRNA design; siRNA delivery; RNAi; siRNA design; Hepatitis C Virus; Virus; Design; Drug; Gene silencing; RNA interference; siRNA; Flaviviridae; Hepatitis C virus; Hepacivirus
• ISSN: 0734-9750; 1873-1899
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2009.08.004

Hepatitis C virus is a major cause of liver associated diseases all over the world. Irrespective of the significant advances in the current therapy, drugs and vaccines are restricted with many factors such as toxicity, complexity, cost and resistance. New technologies particularly RNA interference (RNAi) mediated by small interfering RNA (siRNA) have become more and more interesting and effective therapeutic entities to silence pathogenic gene products associated with disease, including cancer, viral infections and autoimmune disorders. RNAi works at a posttranscriptional level by targeting mRNA as a mean for inhibiting the synthesis of the encoded protein. Several reports have indicated the efficiency and specificity of synthetic and vector based siRNAs inhibiting HCV replication. In the present review, we focused on the recent development in the potential use and issues regarding siRNA as a therapy for HCV.