A DNA-Based Nanocarrier for Efficient Gene Delivery and Combined Cancer Therapy

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.7b04812
• Publication Date: 2018-04-30T17:19:07Z
• Authors: Jianbing Liu; Linlin Song; Shaoli Liu; Qiao Jiang; Qing Liu; Na Li; Zhen-Gang Wang; Baoquan Ding
• Keywords: Drug Carriers; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Gene Transfer Techniques; Mice, Nude; DNA; Genetic Therapy; Genes, p53; 01 natural sciences; Nanostructures; 3. Good health; 0104 chemical sciences; Drug Delivery Systems; Nanomedicine; Doxorubicin; Cell Line, Tumor; Neoplasms; Animals; Humans

The efficient delivery of a therapeutic gene into target tissues has remained a major obstacle in realizing a viable gene-based medicine. Herein, we introduce a facile and universal strategy to construct a DNA nanostructure-based codelivery system containing a linear tumor therapeutic gene (p53) and a chemotherapeutic drug (doxorubicin, DOX) for combined therapy of multidrug resistant tumor (MCF-7R). This novel codelivery system, which is structurally similar to a kite, is rationally designed to contain multiple functional groups for the targeted delivery and controlled release of the therapeutic cargoes. The self-assembled DNA nanokite achieves efficient gene delivery and exhibits effective inhibition of tumor growth in vitro and in vivo without apparent systemic toxicity. These structurally and chemically well-defined codelivery nanovectors provide a new platform for the development of gene therapeutics for not only cancer but also a wide range of diseases.