Polymeric Gene Delivery Systems: Design Principles for Targeting Oncogenic Pathways

The convergence of polymer engineering and molecular oncology has enabled the development of precision gene delivery systems capable of selectively modulating cancer-associated signaling networks. Polymeric nanocarriers provide adaptable platforms for the intracellular delivery of nucleic acids, including siRNA, miRNA, mRNA, and plasmid DNA, to silence, restore, or regulate aberrant oncogenic pathways. This review systematically examines the relationship between polymer physicochemical properties and biological performance, emphasizing how charge density, molecular weight, degradability, hydrophilic-lipophilic balance, and ligand functionalization govern cellular uptake, endosomal escape, intracellular trafficking, and pathway specificity. Rather than considering polymeric nanoparticles solely as passive delivery vehicles, this review establishes a mechanistic framework linking material architecture to eight major signaling groups implicated in tumor progression: (1) growth factor signaling, including EGFR and VEGF pathways; (2) cell cycle regulation involving Cyclin/CDK complexes and p53; (3) intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways; (4) metabolic regulation through PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling; (5) signal transduction cascades such as Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK and Wnt/β-catenin; (6) immune checkpoint pathways, including PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4; (7) inflammatory signaling mediated by NF-κB and cytokines; and (8) stem cell signaling through Notch and Hedgehog pathways. For each signaling group, the review correlates pathway-specific molecular vulnerabilities with polymer engineering strategies, including hydrophobicity modulation for membrane interaction, cationic tuning for nucleic acid condensation and endosomal disruption, ligand anchoring for receptor-mediated targeting, and biodegradable linkages for controlled intracellular release. Illustrative schematics highlight interactions between signaling pathways and nanocarrier design parameters, while studies published between 2016 and 2024 are integrated to capture recent experimental advances. Collectively, this review provides a comprehensive framework for the rational design of pathway-targeted polymeric gene delivery systems for cancer therapy. The discussion further considers translational factors such as polymer scalability, in vivo stability, and regulatory readiness, offering a framework to guide the development of next-generation polymeric gene delivery systems for targeted cancer therapy.