Carrier-free spherical nucleic acids engineered by coordination-competition for programmable release and cancer...

Oligonucleotide-based therapeutics offer precise genetic and immunological modulation but meet critical barriers including instability, poor cellular uptake, and carrier-associated toxicity. Although spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) provide a robust framework, the conventional designs relied on inactive cores impede multifunctional combinations and raise safety concerns. Here, we propose a coordination-competition strategy to construct carrier-free SNAs by templating metal-phenolic networks (MPNs) with therapeutic oligonucleotides. The as-constructed SNAs possess active drug cores and dense nucleic acid shells, enabling programmable release, efficient lysosomal escape, and robust functionalization with aptamers, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and cytosine guanine dinucleotide (CpG) oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) adjuvants. These multifunctional SNAs combine chemotherapy, gene therapy, and immunotherapy within a single nanoplatform, achieving potent tumor inhibition, immune reprogramming, and durable protection in nanovaccine models. This work establishes a universal and translational framework for designing next-generation nucleic acid nanoformulations focused on but not limited to oncotherapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Oligonucleotide-based therapeutics are promising but remain limited by poor stability, inefficient delivery, and safety concerns associated with inert nanocarriers. This work introduces a coordination-competition strategy to construct carrier-free spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) using metal-phenolic networks as active, functional cores. Unlike conventional SNAs, this design eliminates inert materials while enabling high-density nucleic acid loading and modular therapeutic integration. Importantly, distinct coordination chemistries allow programmable release of drugs and oligonucleotides in tumors and immune organs. This general and versatile platform expands the chemical scope of SNAs and offers a new paradigm for designing safer, multifunctional nanomedicines for cancer immunotherapy and beyond.