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Recent developments in cationic lipid-mediated gene delivery and gene therapy

Gene therapy will revolutionize medicine, helping us to cure and prevent diseases at their core level. Until becoming a widespread reality, the problem of efficient gene transfer and expression (transfection) must be solved. Cationic lipids represent a safer alternative than viral vectors, which, although more efficient, have the drawback of immunogenicity and propagation risks. Additionally, cationic lipids and cationic liposomes allow the delivery of larger plasmids and may be GMP manufactured and stored in bulk quantities. However, their specific transfection efficiency must be improved in order to reach the performance of biological vectors. In recent years, new structures have been released and tested, with designs adapted to recent findings in lipid-mediated transfection mechanisms. Another trend is the increased use of natural, biodegradable, building blocks in the backbone of these compounds. Here we review the very recent developments in the field of cationic lipids, both from industry and academia. Physicochemical characteristics, insights of transfection mechanisms, as well as therapeutic applications are also presented. Finally, some future prospects and trends are proposed.