History and future of RNA medicines.

RNA therapeutics are a versatile class of medicines that exploit different types of RNA molecules to prevent or treat a wide spectrum of diseases. Compared with traditional small-molecule drugs, protein drugs, or gene therapies, these therapies offer notable advantages, including faster, less expensive development, and simplified manufacturing. The field encompasses multiple modalities, such as antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs, microRNAs, mRNAs, and aptamers. The success of mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 has accelerated research and clinical translation of RNA approaches for conditions with limited treatment options, including chronic wounds, aggressive metastatic melanoma, and autoimmune and genetic skin diseases.