Aptamer-functionalized DNA microgels: a strategy towards selective anticancer therapeutic systems

DNA microgels of oligonucleotides and polymers were constructed via a combination of DNA complementarity and photo-initiated free radical polymerization. The DNA microgels did not feature the conventional core–shell structure but were instead based on the copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide and acrylamide and DNA crosslinks. By incorporating the aptamer-functionalized moieties, the AptMG–Dox system was demonstrated to possess excellent biocompatibility and highly selective killing efficacy for target cancer cells via stimuli-responsiveness, which could provide immense potential as an intelligent drug delivery carrier for targeted cancer therapy.