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Predicting Gene Silencing Through the Spatiotemporal Control of siRNA Release from Photo-responsive Polymeric Nanocarriers
Published on: July 21, 2017
DNA response element-based smart drug delivery systems for precise drug release
Jinnan Xuan1,2, Zhen Wang3, Yuting Huang4
1Hubei Key Laboratory of Photoelectric Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei Normal University, 11 Cihu Road, Huangshi 435002, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Smart drug delivery systems (DDSs) that respond to, interact with, or are actuated by biological signals or pathological abnormalities (e.g., the tumor microenvironment) for controllable drug release are appealing therapeutic platforms for cancer treatment. Owing to their inherent self-assembled nature, nucleic acids have emerged as programmable materials for the development of multifunctional structures. In response to external environmental stimuli, DNA response elements can serve as switches to trigger conformational changes in DNA structures. Their stimulus-responsive properties make them promising candidates for constructing smart DDSs, and advancements in DNA response element-based DDSs in the field of biomedicine have been made. This review summarizes different types of DNA response elements, including DNA aptamers, DNAzymes, disulfide bond-modified DNA, pH-responsive DNA motifs, and photocleavable DNA building blocks, and highlights the advancements in DNA response element-based smart DDSs for precise drug release. Finally, future challenges and perspectives in this field are discussed.
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