Progress and prospect of minicircle as a minimized non-viral DNA vector in gene therapy and regenerative medicine

recombination in bacterial cells. Numerous evidences have shown promising results in the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of minicircles due to their unique features such as small size and high ectopic expression with lower side effects. Extensive studies have shown that these minimized DNA vectors can be a superior alternative to other vectors, overcoming their technical drawbacks and clinical limitations. Based on these impressive outcomes, minicircles have remarkable potential for clinical translation in the near future. In this review, we present the characteristics, production method, advantages, and disadvantages of these vectors. We also summarize key studies that highlight the diverse and promising applications of minicircle technology as an effective tool in non-viral gene therapy and regenerative medicine.