Advanced strategies for nucleic acids and small-molecular drugs in combined anticancer therapy

Cancer has been considered as complex malignant consequence of genetic mutations that control the cellular proliferation, differentiation and homeostasis, thus making tumor treatment extremely challenging. To date, a variety of cargo molecules, including nucleic acids drugs (pDNA, miRNA and siRNA), therapeutic drugs (doxorubicin, paclitaxel, daunomycin and gefitinib) and imaging agents (radioisotopes, fluorescence dyes, and MRI contrast agents) have been regarded as the potential medicines in clinical application. However, non-single therapeutic drug could induce the satisfied clinical results because of tumor heterogeneity and multiple drug resistance and the nanotechnology-based combined therapy is becoming an advanced important mode for enhanced anticancer effects. The review gathers the current advanced development to co-deliver small-molecular drugs and nucleic acids for the anticancer therapy with nanomedicine-based combination. Furthermore, the superiority is definitely presented and the barriers are detail discussed to surmount the clinical challenges. In final, future perspectives in rational direction for combined tumor therapy of drugs and nucleic acids are exhibited.

Automated summary

Cancer is a complex malignant consequence of genetic mutations that control cellular processes, making tumor treatment extremely challenging. Various cargo molecules, including nucleic acids drugs, therapeutic drugs and imaging agents, have shown potential in clinical applications. However, the heterogeneity of tumors and drug resistance limit the effectiveness of single therapeutic drugs, leading to the adoption of nanotechnology-based combined therapy for enhanced anticancer effects. This review discusses the current advanced development in co-delivering small-molecular drugs and nucleic acids for anticancer therapy with nanomedicine-based combination, highlighting the superiority and addressing the barriers to overcome clinical challenges. Future perspectives in rational direction for combined tumor therapy of drugs and nucleic acids are also presented.