Sulforaphane-Activated Functional Nucleic Acids for Cancer Therapy: Mechanisms, Delivery Strategies, and Nanomedicine...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Sulforaphane (SFN), a dietary isothiocyanate from cruciferous vegetables, exhibits pleiotropic effects on tumor biology.
• There is a growing need for precise and tolerable cancer therapeutics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanisms by which SFN modulates cancer-relevant processes.
• To explore the use of functional nucleic acids and nanotechnology to enhance SFN efficacy in cancer therapy.
• To identify challenges and future directions for SFN-based precision oncology.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of current evidence on SFN's molecular targets and pathways.
• Examination of engineered functional nucleic acids (aptamers, siRNAs, miRNAs, DNA nanostructures) for SFN delivery.
• Emphasis on nanotechnology-based platforms for improved SFN stability, bioavailability, and tumor selectivity.

Main Results:

• SFN regulates key cancer processes like redox homeostasis, cell-cycle, apoptosis, autophagy, and epigenetics via transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic networks.
• Functional nucleic acids can be engineered to target SFN to tumor cells, amplify effects, and overcome resistance.
• Nanotechnology platforms show potential for enhancing SFN's therapeutic profile.

Conclusions:

• SFN is a potent modulator of tumor biology with potential in precision oncology.
• Functional nucleic acids and nanotechnology offer promising strategies to optimize SFN-based cancer treatments.
• Further research is needed to address challenges like context-dependent Nrf2 activity and clinical validation for SFN translation.