Mechanically Triggered DNA Nanovehicles for Targeted Dual‐Drug Cancer Therapy

Stimuli-responsive dual-drug delivery systems enable precise therapeutic control by co-releasing multiple agents, enhancing synergy while reducing dosage and side effects. Mechanical dysregulation is a hallmark of various diseases, yet force-responsive platforms remain rare. Here, we introduce a DNA-based mechanical nanovehicle that releases two anticancer drugs-TMPyP4 and doxorubicin-in response to tensile forces generated by integrin receptors at cell-cell junctions. The cholesterol-modified DNA constructs anchor to the cell membrane and undergoes force-induced structural changes, triggering rapid drug release under defined mechanical conditions. Our studies demonstrated selective activation in HeLa and MCF-7 cancer cells, achieving potent cytotoxicity while minimizing off-target effects in low-tension HEK293T cells. This modular platform integrates mechanosensing, real-time force visualization, and targeted therapy, establishing a new class of mechanoresponsive dual-drug delivery systems for safer and more effective cancer treatments.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Science
Published
2026-04-15
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.75286
Primary Topic
Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Mechanically Triggered DNA Nanovehicles for Targeted Dual‐Drug Cancer Therapy

Murali Mohana Rao Singuru, Priyanka Bhattacharyya
Advanced Science
Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications
article

Mechanically Triggered DNA Nanovehicles for Targeted Dual‐Drug Cancer Therapy

Murali Mohana Rao Singuru, Priyanka Bhattacharyya
article en

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive dual-drug delivery systems enable precise therapeutic control by co-releasing multiple agents, enhancing synergy while reducing dosage and side effects. Mechanical dysregulation is a hallmark of various diseases, yet force-responsive platforms remain rare. Here, we introduce a DNA-based mechanical nanovehicle that releases two anticancer drugs-TMPyP4 and doxorubicin-in response to tensile forces generated by integrin receptors at cell-cell junctions. The cholesterol-modified DNA constructs anchor to the cell membrane and undergoes force-induced structural changes, triggering rapid drug release under defined mechanical conditions. Our studies demonstrated selective activation in HeLa and MCF-7 cancer cells, achieving potent cytotoxicity while minimizing off-target effects in low-tension HEK293T cells. This modular platform integrates mechanosensing, real-time force visualization, and targeted therapy, establishing a new class of mechanoresponsive dual-drug delivery systems for safer and more effective cancer treatments.

Advanced Science
University of Massachusetts Amherst (US)
National Science Foundation, National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 12%
Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications
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