Nanoengineered innovations on DNA delivery systems for targeted cancer therapy

Cancer persists as a significant global health challenge, claiming the second-highest number of lives in developed and developing nations alike, with a universally effective cure yet to be discovered. Gene therapy, combined with nanotechnology, holds great potential as an innovative approach to tackling numerous severe and untreatable illnesses, namely cancer. This review explores the rising demand for innovative carriers and methodologies that ensure the safe, effective, and precise delivery of gene therapy components into target cells without causing side effects on healthy cells. These carriers should possess the ability to efficiently complex, protect and transport DNA into the target cell cytoplasm, while avoiding the extra and intracellular barriers, and if possible, allowing a cancer therapy combined effect. Researchers worldwide are actively engaged in unraveling the complexities of gene delivery to overcome these needs. Furthermore, this review highlights the latest advancements in nanoengineering for DNA delivery aiming to maximize the cancer therapeutic efficacy. Current challenges and future perspectives in this rapidly evolving field are also examined, providing a comprehensive overview for researchers and clinicians. • Gene therapy, a cutting-edge technique to supplement or modify genes in cancer treatment • Nanoparticles allow protection, stability, carriage and delivery of genetic material into cells • Multifunctional nanoparticles enable cancer targeted delivery, avoiding side effects • Nanomaterial nature can offer theranostic function and additional anticancer effect