Advances in nucleic acid therapeutics: structures, delivery systems, and future perspectives in cancer treatment

Cancer has emerged as a significant threat to human health. Nucleic acid therapeutics regulate the gene expression process by introducing exogenous nucleic acid fragments, offering new possibilities for tumor remission and even cure. Their mechanism of action and high specificity demonstrate great potential in cancer treatment. However, nucleic acid drugs face challenges such as low stability and limited ability to cross physiological barriers in vivo. To address these issues, various nucleic acid delivery vectors have been developed to enhance the stability and facilitate precise targeted delivery of nucleic acid drugs within the body. In this review article, we primarily introduce the structures and principles of nucleic acid drugs commonly used in cancer therapy, as well as their cellular uptake and intracellular transportation processes. We focus on the various vectors commonly employed in nucleic acid drug delivery, highlighting their research progress and applications in recent years. Furthermore, we propose potential trends and prospects of nucleic acid drugs and their carriers in the future.