Recent advances in stimuli-responsive polymeric carriers for controllable CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system delivery

Non-viral polymeric vectors with good biocompatibility have been recently explored as delivery systems for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) nucleases. In this review, based on current limitations and critical barriers, we summarize the advantages of stimulus-responsive polymeric delivery vectors (i.e., pH, redox, or enzymes) towards controllable CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system delivery as well as the advances in using stimulus-responsive CRISPR/Cas9 polymeric carriers towards cancer treatment. Last but not least, the key challenges and promising development strategies of stimulus-responsive polymeric vector designs for CRISPR/Cas9 systems will also be discussed.

Automated summary

This review summarizes the recent exploration of non-viral polymeric vectors with good biocompatibility as delivery systems for CRISPR/Cas nucleases. It discusses the advantages of stimulus-responsive polymeric delivery vectors (pH, redox, or enzymes) for controllable CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system delivery and the advances in using stimulus-responsive CRISPR/Cas9 polymeric carriers for cancer treatment. The review also addresses the key challenges and promising development strategies of stimulus-responsive polymeric vector designs for CRISPR/Cas9 systems.