Current Status of siRNA Delivery Technology and siRNA Drug Development

In the past decade, therapeutic potential of RNA interference (RNAi) and its application to human diseases were widely discussed in the related fields of biology, medical sciences, and pharmaceutical sciences. In course of these research and developing processes, efficient transduction of small interfering RNA (siRNA) into target cells is one of the most significant breakthroughs in revealing the feasibility of siRNA-mediated therapies. From the aspect of new siRNA derived drug development, drug delivery system (DDS) holds the key to success. Many studies in the field of DDS have revealed the principles of administration, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drug carriers in living bodies. Furthermore, these principles put ideas of the theoretical formulation adapted to use in local and systemic administration of siRNA. In this review we focused on the current technology of DDS and its importance upon realizing the therapeutic use of siRNA.