DNA as highly biocompatible carriers for drug delivery

Drug carriers have gained significant attention in recent years because of their ability to enhance the bioavailability of drugs and minimize adverse effects. However, some carriers prepared from inorganic or organic materials may cause secondary damage to healthy organs due to their toxicity. Therefore, it is imperative to develop efficient drug carriers that are made of biocompatible materials. DNA, as a biological endogenous substance, has enormous potential for efficient drug delivery due to its excellent biocompatibility, versatility in interacting with drugs, ease of functionalization, and ability to target desired sites specifically. With the advancement of DNA nanotechnology, DNA-based nanomaterials with sophisticated nanostructures have been developed, further expanding the applications of DNA for drug delivery. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advances in DNA-based drug carriers, focusing on the targeted accumulation mechanisms and loading, delivery, and targeted release of different drugs, including small molecule, nucleic acid, peptide, protein-based drugs, and others. In addition, we highlight some of the current challenges and prospects in this field.