Tetrahedral DNA nanostructures for effective treatment of cancer: advances and prospects

J Nanobiotechnology. 2021 Dec 7;19(1):412. doi: 10.1186/s12951-021-01164-0.

Abstract

Recently, DNA nanostructures with vast application potential in the field of biomedicine, especially in drug delivery. Among these, tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDN) have attracted interest worldwide due to their high stability, excellent biocompatibility, and simplicity of modification. TDN could be synthesized easily and reproducibly to serve as carriers for, chemotherapeutic drugs, nucleic acid drugs and imaging probes. Therefore, their applications include, but are not restricted to, drug delivery, molecular diagnostics, and biological imaging. In this review, we summarize the methods of functional modification and application of TDN in cancer treatment. Also, we discuss the pressing questions that should be targeted to increase the applicability of TDN in the future.

Keywords: Drug delivery; Functionalized modification; Intellectualization; Tetrahedral DNA nanostructures; Tumor treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA* / chemistry
  • DNA* / therapeutic use
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Nanostructures* / chemistry
  • Nanostructures* / therapeutic use
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*

Substances

  • DNA