The biomolecule deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which acts as the carrier of genetic information, is also regarded as a block copolymer for the construction of biomaterials. DNA hydrogels, composed of three-dimensional networks of DNA chains, have received considerable attention as a promising biomaterial due to their good biocompatibility and biodegradability. DNA hydrogels with specific functions can be prepared via assembly of various functional sequences containing DNA modules. In recent years, DNA hydrogels have been widely used for drug delivery, particularly in cancer therapy. Benefiting from the sequence programmability and molecular recognition ability of DNA molecules, DNA hydrogels prepared using functional DNA modules can achieve efficient loading of anti-cancer drugs and integration of specific DNA sequences with cancer therapeutic effects, thus achieving targeted drug delivery and controlled drug release, which are conducive to cancer therapy. In this review, we summarized the assembly strategies for the preparation of DNA hydrogels on the basis of branched DNA modules, hybrid chain reaction (HCR)-synthesized DNA networks and rolling circle amplification (RCA)-produced DNA chains, respectively. The application of DNA hydrogels as drug delivery carriers in cancer therapy has been discussed. Finally, the future development directions of DNA hydrogels in cancer therapy are prospected.

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聚合物 DNA 水凝胶及其在癌症治疗药物输送中的应用

作为遗传信息载体的生物分子脱氧核糖核酸（DNA）也被视为构建生物材料的嵌段共聚物。DNA 水凝胶由 DNA 链的三维网络组成，由于其良好的生物相容性和生物降解性，作为一种有前途的生物材料受到了广泛关注。通过组装含有DNA模块的各种功能序列，可以制备具有特定功能的DNA水凝胶。近年来，DNA水凝胶已广泛用于药物递送，特别是在癌症治疗中。得益于DNA分子的序列可编程性和分子识别能力，利用功能性DNA模块制备的DNA水凝胶可以实现抗癌药物的高效负载和具有癌症治疗作用的特定DNA序列的整合，从而实现药物靶向递送和药物控释，有利于癌症治疗。在这篇综述中，我们分别总结了基于分支 DNA 模块、混合链反应 (HCR) 合成的 DNA 网络和滚环扩增 (RCA) 产生的 DNA 链制备 DNA 水凝胶的组装策略。已经讨论了 DNA 水凝胶作为药物递送载体在癌症治疗中的应用。最后对DNA水凝胶在肿瘤治疗中的未来发展方向进行了展望。我们分别总结了基于分支 DNA 模块、混合链反应 (HCR) 合成的 DNA 网络和滚环扩增 (RCA) 产生的 DNA 链制备 DNA 水凝胶的组装策略。已经讨论了 DNA 水凝胶作为药物递送载体在癌症治疗中的应用。最后对DNA水凝胶在肿瘤治疗中的未来发展方向进行了展望。我们分别总结了基于分支 DNA 模块、混合链反应 (HCR) 合成的 DNA 网络和滚环扩增 (RCA) 产生的 DNA 链制备 DNA 水凝胶的组装策略。已经讨论了 DNA 水凝胶作为药物递送载体在癌症治疗中的应用。最后对DNA水凝胶在肿瘤治疗中的未来发展方向进行了展望。