The hurdles for using RNAi are 1) find one that works and 2) deliver it in a way that keeps it in working condition. No. 2 is very important as RNA is a very fragile molecule. The news talks about one particular RNAi molecule delivered in a clever protective way and they see a positive effect. That's awesome news in and of itself.
Is this a general enough technique to make "every protein... druggable"? Maybe, but they don't know that yet. Do some people have an immune reaction to the particles? They didn't see any in 15 patients, so we can't be sure yet if this is a big problem, a minor problem, or not a problem at all.
The hurdles for using RNAi are 1) find one that works and 2) deliver it in a way that keeps it in working condition. No. 2 is very important as RNA is a very fragile molecule. The news talks about one particular RNAi molecule delivered in a clever protective way and they see a positive effect. That's awesome news in and of itself.
Is this a general enough technique to make "every protein... druggable"? Maybe, but they don't know that yet. Do some people have an immune reaction to the particles? They didn't see any in 15 patients, so we can't be sure yet if this is a big problem, a minor problem, or not a problem at all.
So let's get excited, and let's keep some perspective. The Phase II trials are the ones to watch. They don't seem to have started the process yet: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=rrm2 .