-
Molecular Therapy. Nucleic Acids Sep 2023The year 2023 marks the 25th anniversary of the discovery of RNAi. RNAi-based therapeutics enable sequence-specific gene knockdown by eliminating target RNA molecules... (Review)
Review
The year 2023 marks the 25th anniversary of the discovery of RNAi. RNAi-based therapeutics enable sequence-specific gene knockdown by eliminating target RNA molecules through complementary base-pairing. A systematic review of published and ongoing clinical trials was performed. Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase were searched from January 1, 1998, to December 30, 2022 for clinical trials using RNAi. Following inclusion, data from the articles were extracted according to a predefined protocol. A total of 90 trials published in 81 articles were included. In addition, ongoing clinical trials were retrieved from ClinicalTrials.gov, resulting in the inclusion of 48 trials. We investigated how maturation of RNAi-based therapeutics and developments in delivery platforms, administration routes, and potential targets shape the current landscape of clinically applied RNAi. Notably, most contemporary clinical trials used either -acetylgalactosamine delivery and subcutaneous administration or lipid nanoparticle delivery and intravenous administration. In conclusion, RNAi therapeutics have gained great momentum during the past decade, resulting in five approved therapeutics targeting the liver for treatment of severe diseases, and the trajectory depicted by the ongoing trials emphasizes that even more RNAi-based medicines also targeting extra-hepatic tissues are likely to be available in the years to come.
PubMed: 37583575
DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.07.018 -
Non-coding RNA Research Dec 2023At present, RNA-based therapy which includes therapies using non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), and aptamers are gaining widespread attention... (Review)
Review
At present, RNA-based therapy which includes therapies using non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), and aptamers are gaining widespread attention as possible ways to target genes in various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), thereby serving as a promising therapeutic approach for CVDs and risk factors management. However, data are primarily in an early stage. A systematic review was carried out using literature from several databases (Pubmed, Cochrane, Scopus, and DOAJR) following the PRISMA guidelines. Of the 64 articles reviewed, 39 papers were included in this review with three main types of RNAs: aptamers, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), and small-interfering RNA (siRNA). All studies were human clinical trials. RNA-based therapies were demonstrated to be efficacious in treating various CVDs and controlling cardiovascular risk factors. They are generally safe and well-tolerated. However, data are still in the early stage and warrant further investigation.
PubMed: 37483458
DOI: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2023.06.002 -
International Journal of Antimicrobial... Mar 2024Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are synthetic molecules that are like DNA/RNA, but with different building blocks. PNAs target and bind to mRNAs and disrupt the function of... (Review)
Review
Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are synthetic molecules that are like DNA/RNA, but with different building blocks. PNAs target and bind to mRNAs and disrupt the function of a targeted gene, hence they have been studied as potential antibacterials. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an in-depth analysis of the current status of PNAs as antibacterial agents, define the characteristics of the effective PNA constructs, and address the gap in advancing PNAs to become clinically competent agents. Following the PRISMA model, four electronic databases were searched: Web of Science, PubMed, SciFinder and Scopus. A total of 627 articles published between 1994 and 2023 were found. After screening and a rigorous selection process using explicit inclusion and exclusion criteria, 65 scientific articles were selected, containing 656 minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) data. The antibacterial activity of PNAs was assessed against 20 bacterial species. The most studied Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were Escherichia coli (n=266) and Staphylococcus aureus (n=53), respectively. In addition, the effect of PNA design, including construct length, binding location, and carrier agents, on antibacterial activity was shown. Finally, antibacterial test models to assess the inhibitory effects of PNAs were examined, emphasising gaps and prospects. This systematic review provides a comprehensive assessment of the potential of PNAs as antibacterial agents and offers valuable insights for researchers and clinicians seeking novel therapeutic strategies in the context of increasing rates of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Peptide Nucleic Acids; Staphylococcus aureus
PubMed: 38185398
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2024.107083 -
Talanta Aug 2024Neonicotinoids, sometimes abbreviated as neonics, represent a class of neuro-active insecticides with chemical similarities to nicotine. Neonicotinoids are the most... (Review)
Review
Neonicotinoids, sometimes abbreviated as neonics, represent a class of neuro-active insecticides with chemical similarities to nicotine. Neonicotinoids are the most widely adopted group of insecticides globally since their discovery in the late 1980s. Their physiochemical properties surpass those of previously established insecticides, contributing to their popularity in various sectors such as agriculture and wood treatment. The environmental impact of neonicotinoids, often overlooked, underscores the urgency to develop tools for their detection and understanding of their behavior. Conventional methods for pesticide detection have limitations. Chromatographic techniques are sensitive but expensive, generate waste, and require complex sample preparation. Bioassays lack specificity and accuracy, making them suitable as preliminary tests in conjunction with instrumental methods. Aptamer-based biosensor is recognized as an advantageous tool for neonicotinoids detection due to its rapid response, user-friendly nature, cost-effectiveness, and suitability for on-site detection. This comprehensive review represents the inaugural in-depth analysis of advancements in aptamer-based biosensors targeting neonicotinoids such as imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, clothianidin, acetamiprid, thiacloprid, nitenpyram, and dinotefuran. Additionally, the review offers valuable insights into the critical challenges requiring prompt attention for the successful transition from research to practical field applications.
Topics: Insecticides; Aptamers, Nucleotide; Biosensing Techniques; Neonicotinoids; Guanidines; Thiamethoxam; Thiazoles; Nitro Compounds; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants; Thiazines
PubMed: 38703483
DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126190