Next-Generation Cancer Treatment Delivering Drugs Only to Cancer Cells Using Nano Materials

Yonsei University Research Team Develops Targeted Therapy Next-Generation Anticancer Drug Delivery Platform
Utilizing DNA-Cellulose Nanocomposite

From the left, Master Lee Yooyeon, Doctor Nam Geonwook, Professor Noh Younghoon

A new drug delivery platform that precisely targets cancer cells and releases drugs only in the cancer cell environment using advanced nanomaterials has been developed with domestic technology.

Yonsei University (President Dongseop Yoon) announced on the 8th that the research team led by Professor Younghoon Noh from the Department of Biotechnology published the results of their study on a 'drug delivery platform for targeted cancer cell therapy' in the September issue of the world-renowned journal Carbohydrate Polymers.

The study involved Master’s student Yooyeon Lee and Ph.D. candidate Gunwook Nam as co-first authors, with Dr. Youngmin Kim, Dr. Kyungjik Yang, student Youngmok Kim, and Professor Jongwon Oh as co-authors, and Professor Younghoon Noh as the corresponding author.

Distribution of Biological Property Differences According to DNA Surface Density of Developed DNA-Cellulose Nanocomposites

This research focused on solving the critical challenges in anticancer therapy related to targeted drug delivery and side effects. The team developed a hybrid nanocomposite combining DNA nanostructures and nanocellulose, proposing a next-generation anticancer treatment that precisely targets specific cancer cells and releases drugs only in the acidic environment of cancer tissues.

In cancer treatment, it is crucial that drugs are delivered accurately to tumor sites without damaging healthy tissues. To achieve this, 3D DNA nanostructures that respond to various environmental changes to target specific cells and release drugs have been used; however, existing 3D nanostructures faced limitations such as instability in vivo and low drug loading capacity.

To overcome these issues, the research team combined polymeric DNA nanostructures synthesized via Rolling Circle Amplification with nanocellulose, significantly enhancing in vivo stability and drug delivery capability.

Nanocellulose, an eco-friendly material derived from plants, is highly absorbable by cells and biodegradable, making it suitable as a drug carrier. The team successfully synthesized the nanocomposite by modifying the surface of nanocellulose to carry a positive charge and electrostatically binding it with negatively charged DNA nanostructures.

Experimental results confirmed that the in vivo stability, intracellular drug delivery efficiency, and anticancer therapeutic effects varied significantly depending on the DNA content in the nanocomposite. The team explained that this nanocomposite effectively targets cancer cells and optimizes anticancer therapy through pH-responsive drug release functionality.

Professor Younghoon Noh stated, “This study introduced a DNA-cellulose nanocomposite that facilitates targeted penetration and drug release at specific disease tissue sites, minimizing side effects and contributing to maximizing anticancer efficacy.” He added, “The core fusion technology used in this research is expected to be applicable in various medical bio and nanobio fields.”