Current Status, Opportunities, Applications, and Challenges of RNA Interference‐Based Cancer Therapeutics

ABSTRACT Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally, where the development of effective therapies is critical. Traditional cancer treatment methods, such as chemotherapy and radiation, often lead to several side effects in patients due to their systemic toxicity and the emergence of drug resistance. Thus, there is a quest for an alternative approach for less/nontoxic cancer treatment modalities. One of the most fascinating and practical biological discoveries in recent years is the phenomenon of RNA interference (RNAi), which serves as a regulator of gene expression. Across the spectrum of organisms, suppressing gene expression can be swiftly and effectively accomplished using double‐stranded RNA‐mediated interference. Hence, RNAi is proposed as a potential cancer treatment alternative by enabling targeted silencing of genes, which can disrupt the expression of oncogenes and restore the function of tumor suppressor genes. However, the successful implementation of RNAi requires efficient delivery systems that can play a vital role in overcoming the barriers associated with stability and cellular uptake. Thus, this review aims to discuss the abilities of RNA interference in cancer therapy, examining its challenges and its future perspectives.