Chitosan nanocarriers for microRNA delivery and detection: A preliminary review with emphasis on cancer

In recent years, gene therapy based on miRNA has been employed as a potential growing technique for treating various co-morbidities. Direct administration of miRNA is unrealistic due to their lower specificity, stability, and decreased penetration through the cellular membrane. Suitable delivery vectors must be required to deliver miRNA efficiently. Non-viral vectors can be composed of polymeric, lipids, or inorganic components/nanocarriers. Among different cationic polymers, chitosan nanocarriers are effectively utilized to deliver miRNA owing to its cationic nature, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and increased potential for functional modifications. Therefore, chitosan has been widely employed to effectively deliver several miRNAs to the target site. This review will discuss the recent signs of progress and future perspectives in delivering and detecting miRNAs via chitosan and its derivatives with an emphasis on cancer. The review will also provide an insight into the various challenges of these chitosan carriers to be used as delivery agents for miRNA.