CD44 and cancer: In terms of anticancer activity studied in vitro, the NPs exhibited increased cellular uptake and controlled release of the encapsulated siRNA, as was evident through the high percentage of cell lysis (>70%) in cancer cells overexpressing CD44 which are targeted by HA, and inhibition of IL-6 and STAT3 expression (90%), with the latter resulting in halting the progression of cancer cells, metastasis and angiogenesis.