Interference: an alteRNAtive therapy following acute myocardial infarction

A complex cascade of genomic and proteomic interactions follows myocardial infarction (MI) irrespective of the intervention employed. A potential pharmacological intervention gaining momentum is RNAi therapy. RNAi therapy has been successfully clinically used in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration and cancer, but its translation to the coronary care unit is lacking despite the existence of preclinical proof of concept. Here we review current RNAi approaches and tissue-specific delivery systems that exhibit candidacy as future pharmacological interventions following MI and considerations for improved non-viral delivery to the infarcted myocardium.