Advancements in nucleic acid therapeutics have opened new avenues for treating genetic diseases, with antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) such as antisense RNA (as RNA) emerging as promising candidates. RNA medicine, targeting various RNA molecules, offers potential therapeutic interventions. RNA-based therapeutics encounter challenges like stability, delivery, and off-target effects. Advances in delivery systems, such as lipid and polymeric nanoparticles and virus-like particles, offer solutions to enhance efficacy. This review explores the mechanisms and applications of RNA therapeutics, focusing on antisense oligonucleotides. Several platforms like lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, cell-penetrating peptides, exosomes, polyplexes, and virus-like particles (VLPs) for antisense RNA delivery are utilized to overcome challenges such as RNA stability and intracellular delivery. The potential of bacteriophages and VLPs as versatile delivery systems for RNA therapeutics targeting bacterial infections, biofilm eradication, cancer therapy, and viral infections is explored. Utilizing bacteriophages for targeted antisense RNA delivery improves therapeutic outcomes. Bacteriophage systems are advantageous due to ease of development, large cargo capacity, ability to carry non-DNA payloads, and relative safety, making them effective nanocarriers. The review also highlights FDA-approved ASO drugs and CRISPR-derived approaches for antibacterial and antiviral therapy. Through an in-depth analysis of platforms, mechanisms, and applications, this review provides insights into the expanding landscape of RNA therapeutics and their clinical implications.
