Multifunctional nano-polymer-based targeted delivery system for CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated hepatocellular carcinoma therapy

CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology exhibits substantial therapeutic potential for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the targeted delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 system into tumor cells remains a critical challenge requiring urgent exploration. Methyltransferase-Like 3 (METTL3), a key methyltransferase, drives HCC proliferation via multiple mechanisms. To address this challenge, a multifunctional delivery system was developed to efficiently deliver CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids targeting METTL3 (pMETTL3) into HCC cells. The cationic PEI, which facilitated the adsorption of pMETTL3 and protected it from lysosomal degradation, served as the polymeric backbone and was modified with deoxycholic acid (DOCA) to enhance its hydrophobicity. Meanwhile, lactobionic acid (LA) was grafted onto the structure to actively target HCC cells. The resulting pMETTL3/LPD was further functionalized with pH-sensitive and cleavable polyethylene glycol (PEG), aiming to reduce toxicity and enhance prolonged circulation. Results demonstrated that the delivery system maintains stability in physiological pH environments while achieving significantly enhanced accumulation in tumor tissues. Furthermore, the efficient cellular uptake of CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids enables precise gene editing, thereby effectively disrupting METTL3 expression, inducing apoptosis, and ultimately inhibiting HCC growth. This study presents a promising therapeutic strategy targeting METTL3 for HCC treatment and further expands the application of CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology in cancer therapy.