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Site-Specific Ocular Nucleic Acid Delivery

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Focal Controlled Drug Delivery

Part of the book series: Advances in Delivery Science and Technology ((ADST))

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Abstract

The eye is a very complex organ consisting of many anterior and posterior tissues. Studies over the last 2 decades have demonstrated the promise of using nucleic acids, such as DNA, siRNA, antisense oligonucleotide (AS-ODNs), and aptamer, in treating acquired as well as inherited ocular diseases. Among various ocular drug delivery strategies, topical administration is the most convenient route. However, the presence of several anatomical and physiological barriers restricts this administration only for anterior tissues. Stability, physicochemical properties, and propensity of spreading to adjacent tissues are limiting factors for site-specific delivery of nucleic acids in posterior tissues. To overcome these hurdles, several novel routes and delivery systems have been developed in recent years. These novel delivery systems possess several advantages including sustained and site-specific delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids. In this chapter, attempts have been made to introduce the structure of the eye, the major types of nucleic acids for the treatment of ocular diseases, and various strategies that have been used to achieve site-specific delivery of nucleic acids to the eye.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2464 Charlotte Street, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA

    Ravi S. Shukla & Kun Cheng Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Ravi S. Shukla
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  2. Kun Cheng Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Kun Cheng Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pharmacy-Faculty of Medicine The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

    Abraham J. Domb

  2. Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER), Balanagar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

    Wahid Khan

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© 2014 Controlled Release Society

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Shukla, R.S., Cheng, K. (2014). Site-Specific Ocular Nucleic Acid Delivery. In: Domb, A., Khan, W. (eds) Focal Controlled Drug Delivery. Advances in Delivery Science and Technology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9434-8_11

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