Advances in Targeting Cancer-Associated Genes by Designed siRNA in Prostate Cancer

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Despite great advancements in early detection and therapeutic strategies, the 5-year survival rate for patients with metastatic prostate cancer remains low (i.e., ~30%). Targeting prostate cancer-associated genes has emerged as a promising treatment for this devastating disease. This review summarizes recent findings in silencing genes that are involved in prostate cancer pathogenesis. Moreover, novel nanotechnology-based platforms for effective delivery of therapeutic RNAs to prostate cancer cells have been discussed. Information provided in this review will benefit both researchers and clinicians to design and develop novel therapeutic approaches for patients suffering from prostate cancer. ABSTRACT: Short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have provided novel insights into the field of cancer treatment in light of their ability to specifically target and silence cancer-associated genes. In recent years, numerous studies focus on determining genes that actively participate in tumor formation, invasion, and metastasis in order to establish new targets for cancer treatment. In spite of great advances in designing various siRNAs with diverse targets, efficient delivery of siRNAs to cancer cells is still the main challenge in siRNA-mediated cancer treatment. Recent advancements in the field of nanotechnology and nanomedicine hold great promise to meet this challenge. This review focuses on recent findings in cancer-associated genes and the application of siRNAs to successfully silence them in prostate cancer, as well as recent progress for effectual delivery of siRNAs to cancer cells.