Introduction: Gene therapy mainly depends on the use of appropriate delivery vehicles with no induction of immune responses and toxicity. The limitations of viral gene carriers such as induction of immunogenicity, random integration in the genome of the host, limitations in the size, has led to a movement toward non-viral systems with much safer properties. Biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric nanocarriers due to several unique properties such as excellent biocompatibility, prolonged gene circulation time, prevented gene degradation, passive targeting by using the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, and possibility of modulating polymers structure to obtain desirable therapeutic efficacy, are among the most promising systems for gene delivery. However, biodegradable gene delivery systems have some limitations such as inadequate stability and slow release of therapeutics which have to be overcome. Thus, a variety of advanced functional biodegradable delivery systems with more efficient gene delivery activity has recently been introduced.
Areas covered: This review summarizes different aspects of biodegradable and biocompatible nano carriers including formulation, mechanism of intracellular uptake, various potential applications of biodegradable nanoparticles and finally recent studies on the therapeutic efficacy of these nanoparticles in sustained delivery of genes.
Expert opinion: Biocompatible and biodegradable polymers will play a necessary and important role in developing new and safe carriers for oligonucleotide delivery. More working and the development of optimized polymers will reveal more their efficacy in the treatment of patients via helping in better gene therapy.
Keywords: Gene therapy; biocompatible; biodegradable; polymeric nanocarriers.