DNA nanotherapeutics facilitate efficient gynecological cancers treatment

Gynecological cancers, including ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers, remain major global health challenges. Conventional therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy exhibit substantial limitations, including severe systemic toxicity and the emergence of therapeutic resistance, leading to poor patient outcomes. DNA nanotherapeutics present a transformative approach by integrating the programmability and versatility of DNA with the advantages of nanotechnology, enabling precise and effective interventions. These systems function as both therapeutics and carriers, facilitating targeted treatment through diverse approaches such as DNA vaccines, gene editing, protein restoration, and DNA nanoplatforms. DNA vaccines have shown promise in generating robust immune responses against HPV-related cervical cancer and tumor-associated antigens in ovarian and endometrial cancers. Gene-editing technologies, particularly CRISPR/Cas9, offer a precise means to correct oncogenic mutations and restore tumor suppressor functions. Furthermore, DNA nanotherapeutics enable protein restoration by delivering therapeutic DNA encoding tumor suppressors, such as p53 and PTEN, to reestablish their critical roles in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. DNA origami and platforms enhance therapeutic precision by enabling controlled, site-specific delivery of therapeutic payloads, improving treatment efficacy and minimizing off-target effects. Despite these advances, challenges remain in achieving efficient in vivo delivery, overcoming tumor heterogeneity, and manufacturing scalability. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of DNA nanotherapeutics for gynecological cancer treatment, highlighting their potential to revolutionize cancer therapy through precise, personalized, and multimodal interventions.