Application of DNA nanostructures in cancer therapy. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Qiuyang; Han, Yu; Yang, Yuming; de la Fuente, Jesús M.; Cui, Daxiang; Wang, Xiaoqiang
• Is Part Of: Applied materials today. Volume 21(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: DNA nanostructure -- DNA origami -- DNA tile-based structure -- Drug delivery -- Gene therapy; Materials science -- Periodicals; Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apmt.2020.100861
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-9407

Abstract

Highlights: Two popular types of DNA nanostructures in cancer therapy are summarized. The recent development of DNA nanostructures combined with inorganic nanomaterials on cancer treatment are summarized. The interaction mechanism between DNA nanostructures and cells is summarized. The potential application risks of DNA nanostructures in the field of cancer treatment are reviewed. Abstract: DNA nanostructures have been evolving ever since the development of self-assembling DNA tile-based structures in the 1980s. DNA origami technology developed by Rothemund in 2006 simplified the synthesis process of DNA nanostructures, while simultaneously upgrading the complexity, size, and the flexibility of these structures to a great extent. DNA nanostructures possess extraordinary features, such as controllable appearance, biocompatibility, and a capacity for diverse modifications, due to which they are considered an ideal tool for cancer diagnosis and treatment. The present review describes the classification of DNA nanostructures into three categories based on their structural features and construction methods, and summarizes their performance in cancer treatment. It was established that DNA nanostructures serve as reliable carriers of chemotherapy drugs and therapeutic genes, and exhibit great compatibility with inorganic materials such as gold nanoparticles. Cancer treatment using DNA nanostructures has presented positive results in vitro as well as in vivo, and studies exploring further comparisons among the different structures are expected in future research. Graphical abstract: Scheme 1. This review summarizes various DNA nanostructures which have been applied to cancer therapy both in vitro and in vivo . Adapted with permission [1] . Copyright 2016, Elsevier. Adapted with permission [2] . Copyright 2011, John Wiley and Sons. Adapted with permission [3] . Copyright 2015, John Wiley and Sons. Image, graphical abstract