Recent Advances in Non-Viral Gene Delivery Systems for Hepatic Gene Therapy

Gene therapy involves the modification of genetic material to correct or compensate for defective genes, thereby aiming to treat or prevent various diseases, including hepatic disorders. Recent advancements in non-viral nanocarrier systems, such as polymeric nanoparticles, lipid-based nanocarriers, and metal-organic frameworks, have emerged as promising alternatives for liver-targeted gene delivery. These systems offer several advantages over viral vectors, including improved safety profiles, greater payload capacity, enhanced specificity, and reduced immunogenicity. This review highlights recent developments in nanocarriers for hepatic gene delivery. We discuss commonly used non-viral approaches, emphasizing their respective strengths and limitations. Furthermore, the review examines studies on gene delivery to the liver, exploring the design of various platforms, their mechanisms of action, and the associated challenges.