Framework Nucleic Acids as a Nanocontainer for Delivering Heterogeneous Molecular Drugs

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Nanomedicine
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Framework nucleic acids (FNAs) are advanced nucleic acid nanostructures with precise architecture, biocompatibility, and stability.
• FNAs are increasingly used in nanodevices, biosensing, and drug delivery, particularly for heterogeneous molecular drugs.
• Current FNA applications face challenges like limited drug loading, immunogenicity, and in vivo stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review composite drugs utilizing FNAs for small molecules, peptides, and proteins.
• To elucidate FNA carrier design principles and FNA-drug interaction modes.
• To summarize structure-activity relationships and identify obstacles for clinical translation.

Main Methods:

• Review of FNA design principles for nanocontainers.
• Analysis of interaction modes between FNAs and various drug molecules.
• Evaluation of physicochemical properties and biological effects of FNA-drug complexes.

Main Results:

• FNAs serve as effective nanocontainers addressing hydrophobicity, affinity, and stability issues of heterogeneous drugs.
• Structure-activity relationships of FNA-drug complexes were summarized.
• Key challenges for clinical translation were identified.

Conclusions:

• FNAs show significant potential as drug delivery systems for complex therapeutics.
• Further development is needed to overcome limitations in drug carrier capacity and in vivo stability.
• Recommendations are provided to guide future research and clinical development of FNA-based drugs.