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Updated: Jan 23, 2026
Kinetic Screening of Nuclease Activity using Nucleic Acid Probes
Published on: November 1, 2019
Cancer-Targeting Nanoparticles for Combinatorial Nucleic Acid Delivery
Hannah J Vaughan1, Jordan J Green1, Stephany Y Tzeng1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Translational Tissue Engineering Center and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 400 North Broadway, Smith Building 5001, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA.
Abstract:
Nucleic acids are a promising type of therapeutic for the treatment of a wide range of conditions, including cancer, but they also pose many delivery challenges. For efficient and safe delivery to cancer cells, nucleic acids must generally be packaged into a vehicle, such as a nanoparticle, that will allow them to be taken up by the target cells and then released in the appropriate cellular compartment to function. As with other types of therapeutics, delivery vehicles for nucleic acids must also be designed to avoid unwanted side effects; thus, the ability of such carriers to target their cargo to cancer cells is crucial. Classes of nucleic acids, hurdles that must be overcome for effective intracellular delivery, types of nonviral nanomaterials used as delivery vehicles, and the different strategies that can be employed to target nucleic acid delivery specifically to tumor cells are discussed. Additonally, nanoparticle designs that facilitate multiplexed delivery of combinations of nucleic acids are reviewed.
Insights
Nucleic acid therapies face delivery challenges for treating cancer. Nanoparticles are key vehicles for targeted delivery and improved therapeutic outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Nucleic acids show therapeutic potential for various diseases, notably cancer.
- Effective delivery of nucleic acids to target cells remains a significant challenge.
- Current therapeutic strategies require efficient and safe delivery systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current strategies for nucleic acid delivery to cancer cells.
- To discuss challenges and solutions in intracellular delivery of nucleic acids.
- To explore nanoparticle-based delivery systems for nucleic acid therapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Review of nonviral nanomaterials for nucleic acid delivery.
- Analysis of targeting strategies for tumor cells.
- Examination of nanoparticle designs for multiplexed nucleic acid delivery.
Main Results:
- Nonviral nanoparticles are essential vehicles for nucleic acid delivery.
- Targeting strategies are crucial for specific delivery to cancer cells and minimizing side effects.
- Multiplexed delivery systems enhance therapeutic combinations.
Conclusions:
- Nanoparticle-mediated delivery is critical for advancing nucleic acid therapeutics.
- Targeted delivery systems improve safety and efficacy in cancer treatment.
- Further research into advanced nanoparticle designs will optimize therapeutic applications.
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