DNA Nanobots - Emerging Customized Nanomedicine in Oncology

Abstract

Cancer is one of the most lethal diseases of the twenty-first century. Many medicines, including antitumor antibiotics, deliver tedious and severe chemotherapy and radiation treatment, both of which have significant side effects. DNA nanorobots, as an alternative, might be used as a cancer treatment method that is both safer and more precise than current treatments. DNA nanobots are being praised as a major milestone in medical research. The major goal of these nanobots is to find and destroy malignant cells in the human body. A unique strand of DNA is folded into the systematic form to create these nanobots. DNA origami has magnified passive tumor-targeting and prolonged properties at the tumor location. The triangle-like DNA origami, in particular, shows excellent accumulation on passive targeting of the tumor. Self-built DNA origami nanostructures were utilized to deliver the anticancer drug doxorubicin into tumors, and the approach was found to be highly successful in vivo. In another demonstration, a robot was made with the help of DNA origami and aptamer for folding a 90nm long tube-like apparatus. It was carried out to transport the blood coagulation protease thrombin in the interior portion guarded against blood plasma protein and circulating platelets. The robot unfolded once the aptamer was identified and attached to its tumor-specific target molecule, delivering thrombin to the circulation, stimulating coagulation of the regional malignant cells, and proceeding to tumor necrosis and tumor growth inhibition. Various studies revealed the effectiveness of DNA nanobots in cancer therapy.

Keywords: Cancer; DNA nanobot; doxorubicin; nanobot; nanotechnology; thrombin.