Sun, Zhuokai, Martin, Tracey A.  ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2690-4908 and Jiang, Wen G. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3283-1111
2026.
Exploring nonviral nanocarriers as RNA delivery platforms for the treatment of breast cancer.
Chemical Engineering Journal
538
, 176496.
10.1016/j.cej.2026.176496
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Abstract
Breast cancer is a highly heterogeneous malignancy that requires increasingly precise and individualized therapeutic strategies. RNA-based therapeutics, such as small interfering RNA(siRNA), microRNA(miRNA), messenger RNA(mRNA), and CRISPR-associated systems, enable precise regulation of tumour-associated genes, offering targeted breast cancer treatment with enhanced efficacy and reduced off-target toxicity. However, their clinical translation is hindered by poor stability, rapid degradation, and limited delivery efficiency in vivo. Non-viral nanocarriers have emerged as promising platforms to address these limitations due to their structural tunability, low immunogenicity, and high transfection efficiency. In this review, we systematically summarize recent advances in non-viral nanocarriers for RNA delivery in breast cancer treatment, covering major carrier classes including polymer-based, lipid-based, inorganic, and hybrid systems. A comparative framework is established to evaluate these nanocarriers based on cargo loading strategies, targeting mechanisms, endosomal escape efficiency, therapeutic performance, and translational barriers. Furthermore, we discuss how tumour heterogeneity and subtype-specific characteristics inform the rational design of RNA delivery systems within a precision medicine context. This review aims to provide a structured understanding of non-viral nanocarrier design principles and to offer guidance for the development of next-generation RNA delivery platforms for breast cancer therapy.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Status: | Published |
| Schools: | Schools > Medicine |
| Additional Information: | RRS applied 24/02/2026 AB |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
| ISSN: | 1385-8947 |
| Date of First Compliant Deposit: | 21 April 2026 |
| Date of Acceptance: | 20 April 2026 |
| Last Modified: | 06 May 2026 10:17 |
| URI: | https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/186516 |
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