Programmable DNA Hydrogels with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Cisplatin for Diagnosis and Treatment of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Dan Zhao; Lin Liu; Gang Ping Wang; Xi Cheng

doi:10.1002/adhm.202402895

Programmable DNA Hydrogels with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Cisplatin for Diagnosis and Treatment of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Adv Healthc Mater. 2024 Dec 26:e2402895. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202402895. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Dan Zhao^{1

2

3}, Lin Liu^{2

3

4}, Gang Ping Wang⁵, Xi Cheng^{5

6

7

8}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Endodontics, the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646099, China.
² Luzhou Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Luzhou, 646099, China.
³ Institute of Stomatology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China.
⁴ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646099, China.
⁵ School of Materials and Engineering, Ho hai university, Nanjing, 210000, China.
⁶ Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research, Hangzhou, 310006, China.
⁷ Center for Oral Diseases, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310006, China.
⁸ Department of Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, China.

PMID: 39723680
DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202402895

Abstract

This study explores the potential of DNA hydrogels as a novel approach for diagnosing and treating Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). In the experiment, DNA hydrogels are synthesized and loaded with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and Cisplatin. In vitro experiments evaluated drug delivery efficacy and the effect on cancer cell viability. In vivo, studies used mice models to assess the therapeutic potential and antimicrobial activity of the DNA hydrogels. Results demonstrate that DNA hydrogels significantly improve the delivery of Cisplatin to cancer cells, potentially allowing for lower drug doses and reduced side effects. The combination of Cisplatin and ZnO NPs show the most potent antibacterial effect against bacterial strains associated with OSCC. Analysis indicates that ZnO NPs within the hydrogels improve the efficacy of contrast agents, facilitating earlier and more accurate tumor diagnosis. The findings highlight that DNA hydrogels loaded with therapeutic agents can enhance drug delivery and reduce side effects, while ZnO NPs improve tumor diagnosis. DNA hydrogels may represent a promising patient-centric approach for more effective OSCC treatment.

Keywords: DNA hydrogel; OSCC; ZNO NPs; cisplatin; drug delivery and tumor diagnosis.

Abstract

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