Targeted Delivery of Nucleic Acid Therapeutics: Emerging Carriers and Applications in Common Metabolic and Inflammatory Diseases

Recent advances in genomics and molecular biology have accelerated the development of nucleic acid-based therapeutics. To optimize their clinical efficacy, various delivery systems-including lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanomaterials, inorganic nanoparticles (NPs), extracellular vesicles (EVs), viral vectors, protein carriers, and nucleic acid conjugates-have been explored to improve stability, cellular uptake, and bioavailability. This review provides an overview of the current state of nucleic acid therapeutics, focusing on their classification, delivery strategies, and applications in metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Emphasis is placed on the mechanisms of action, targeted delivery approaches, and the existing challenges these systems face. Literature was sourced from PubMed and Web of Science, relevance to the topic, and publication timeline (2020-2025). The aim is to propose insights into the optimization of nucleic acid drugs and the development of novel delivery systems, offering new perspectives for the treatment of complex diseases.