Inhalable Perfluorocarbon RNA Nanocapsules Bypass Immune Clearance While Targeting Lung Epithelial and Lung Tumor Cells

Abstract

Inhalation RNA therapy offers to transform treatment of pulmonary diseases, yet mucus trapping, immune clearance, and navigation of heterogeneous lung tissue architecture still prevents RNA from reaching its target cells. Here, we develop perfluorocarbon (PFC) RNA nanocapsules that show negligible immune clearance, minimal inflammatory response, and efficient mucus transport, while passively homing to lung epithelial and tumor cells. After a single aerosolized dose in orthotopic lung metastasis model, more than 60% of tumor cells and most type II alveolar and bronchial epithelial cells internalized the nanocapsules, with observed pulmonary retention exceeding 48 h. The nanocapsule provoke negligible cytokine release, enabling repeated dosing. Treatment with therapeutic miR34-a suppresses metastatic outgrowth, potentiates anti-tumor immunity, and almost doubles median survival relative to control paclitaxel chemotherapy. By combining unique PFC disposition with RNA versatility, the delivery platform overcomes the main biological barriers for inhalable RNA medicines and opens a translatable path for treating diverse pulmonary diseases.