Dendrosome mediated topical gene silencing by PLK-1 specific siRNA: implication in treatment of skin cancer in mouse model

Abstract

Although topical application of nucleic acids offers many potential therapeutic advantages for suppressing genes in the skin, topical delivery of siRNA for skin cancer treatment remains in its infancy. In the present study, the anticancer efficacy of a dendrosome-based formulation of polo-like kinase enzyme (PLK-1) specific siRNA was evaluated against DMBA induced skin papillomas in Swiss albino mice. The efficacy of the dendrosome based siRNA nano-formulation was evaluated on the basis of the effect on total numbers and sizes of tumor papillomas and the expression of apoptotic factors. The nano-formulation was successful in reducing the cumulative numbers as well as sizes of tumor nodules and causing significant apoptosis of skin tumor cells which led to better survival of the treated animals. The results indicate that dendrosomes are promising nanocarriers for the development of topical gene silencing approaches to treat skin tumors.