(167) Acid-degradable Dextran as a Carrier for Melanoma Gene Therapy

Introduction: Melanoma is a highly aggressive cancer linked to genetic factors and UV radiation1. Surgery is the primary treatment; however, when melanoma affects the face, it can impair facial functions2. This highlights the need for less invasive therapies targeting cancer cells while preserving healthy tissue. RNAi offers a promising approach by silencing oncogenes involved in melanoma progression3, but delivery challenges remain. We developed Acetalated Quaternary Amine Modified Dextran, a pH-sensitive, non-viral carrier whose acetal linkages degrade in endosomal conditions, facilitating siRNA release.