drug delivery systems such as nanoparticles might be able to enhance its efficacy,

and it can be utilized as a therapeutic for diabetic neuropathic pain.

20.5

Future Perspectives

While numerous formulations have recently been developed for the effective deliv-

ery of siRNA to be used as therapeutics in various disorders, the biological stability,

specificity, and protection of nanocarriers, which can be easily translated from bench

to bedside, should remain the priority. For siRNA delivery, lipids form the core

components of several forms of nanocarriers. New therapeutic modalities may

become combination therapies with multiple siRNAs targeting various survival

pathways or a combination of specific siRNAs that may sensitize the treatment of

diabetic neuropathic pain with other pain-relieving drugs. The future of personalized

medicine will inevitably materialize with the continuing advances in molecular and

next-generation omics technology as well as the interdisciplinary partnerships

between geneticists, material scientists, immunologists, and biochemists. The posi-

tive effects of many undertrial RNAi therapeutics would also improve the drug

industry’s confidence in investing in this avenue with a special focus on various

disorders including neuropathy pain.

Acknowledgments The authors acknowledge the funding received from DST-Chandigarh

Administration to Dr. Anurag Kuhad and Dr. Ranjana Bhandari for their project on

neuropathic pain.

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siRNA-Encapsulated Nanoparticles for Targeting Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG). . .

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