From: Effects of pericytes and colon cancer stem cells in the tumor microenvironment
Vectors | Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|---|
Using VIRUS | ||
 Adenovirus | ↑ Efficiency and vector titers Insert capacity (max 8 Kb) | No integration Short-term expression ↑Immunogenicity |
 Adeno-associated virus | ↑ Efficiency and vector titers ↓ Toxicity, no pathogenic ↓ Risk of mutagenesis Remains predominantly episomal | Requires helper virus to replicate Insert capacity (3-5 Kb) |
 Retrovirus | ↓ Immune response in host Insert capacity (8 Kb) Integrates into genome | ↓ Vector titers Incorpotates into dividing cells only Restricted tropism ↑ Risk of insertional mutagenesis |
 Lentivirus | Uptake in dividing and not dividing cells ↑ Insert capacity (8 Kb) Integrates into genome Next generation is self-inactiving for safe | ↓ Vector titers Restricted tropism Risk of insertional mutagenesis |
Non VIRAL | ||
 Liposomes | Protect degradation by nucleasas Dose-dependent toxicity cationic polymers (PEI and PAMAM) ↓ Immune response in host rapid clearance from the bloodstream | Toxic effects on the liver and the kidney in mice ↓ Circulation half-life (minute–hours) |
 Nanoparticles | Protect degradation by nucleasas ↑ Circulation half-life (synthetic polymers sustained release over a period of days to several weeks) Dose-dependent toxicity ↑ Penetrability and solubility enhanced drug stability and biocompatibility facile synthesis and easy structural modification targeted drug delivery (specify and inespecify) | Toxic effects depends on the size and biodistribution |
 DNA nanostructures | Protect degradation by nucleasas Small size ↑ Precision and flexibility Non-toxic DNA nanostructures with their powerful structural control ↑ Biodistribution, biocompatibility | Localization and mapping of nanorobots in the human body are difficult using conventional optical microscopy techniques Effect desired require coordination collective nanorobots |