Aptamer-functionalized fluorine-containing DNAsomes for targeted drug delivery to cancer cells

Due to the unique hydrophobic and lipophobic physicochemical properties of hydrophobic perfluorocarbons (PFs), here we report a conjugate of a double fluorine-containing lipid and oligonucleotide that can self-assemble into a F-DNAsome to achieve targeted drug delivery to cancer cells. The fluorine-containing DNAsomes (F-DNAsomes) self-assembled from DNA amphiphilic molecules have good biocompatibility, high drug encapsulation ability, enhanced stability and DNA surface modification ability. After integrating the nucleic acid aptamer Sgc8 on the surface of F-DNAsomes through sequence-specific hybridization, this aptamer-functionalized nanosystem can selectively deliver the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) to targeted cancer cell lines and show higher inhibition efficiency toward cell growth. Studies reveal that the combination of the F-DNAsome structure and the unique physicochemical properties of PFs not only enhances its stability, but also shows potential as nanocarriers for targeted cancer therapy.