Abstract.Introduction: The potential of gene replacement therapy has been underscored by the market authorisation of alipogene tiparvovec (Glybera) and GSK2696273 (Strimvelis) in the EU and recombinant adenovirus-p53 (Gendicine) in China. Common to these systems is the use of attenuated viruses for "drug" delivery. Whilst viral delivery systems are being developed for siRNA, their application to antisense delivery remains problematic. Non-viral delivery remains experimental, with some notable successes. However, stability and the "PEG dilemma", balancing toxicity and limited (often liver-tropic) PK-PD, with the membrane destabilising activity, necessary for nucleocytosolic access and transfection remain a problem.
Areas Covered:Here we review the use of attenuated protein toxins as a delivery vehicle for nucleic acids, their relationship to the PEG-dilemma, and their biological properties with specific reference to their intracellular trafficking.
Expert opinion:The possibility of using attenuated toxins as antisense and siRNA delivery systems has been demonstrated in vitro. Systems based upon attenuated anthrax toxin have been shown to have high activity (equivalent to nucleofection) and low toxicity whilst not requiring cationic "helpers" or condensing agents, divorcing these systems from the problems associated with the PEG dilemma. It remains to be seen whether these systems can operate safely, efficiently and reproducibly, in vivo or in the clinic.
Key words.Antisense, Drug Delivery, Endocytosis, Gene Therapy, siRNA, Toxin. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59
This paper covers:1) The deferential between the challenges associated with gene and siRNA / antisense delivery.2) Why this differential is important within the context of existing rate limits to nonviral therapy i.e. the PEG dilemma.3) The use of protein toxins as part of non-viral DNA delivery systems. 4) How toxins navigate the endomembrane system. 5) Recent successes using toxins to deliver siRNA and antisense oligonucleotides.