A nucleic acid-containing complex, containing a nucleic acid and a
biodegradable polymer, especially a positively-charged water-insoluble
biodegradable polymer, is disclosed. The complex has excellent properties
of sustainedly releasing a desired nucleic acid, especially DNA, to a
site in need of a treatment. Since the complex can be taken up to
phagocytes such as macrophages and delivered specifically to the target
site, the function of the nucleic acid can be exhibited in a target site
specific manner, and thus more specific gene therapy can be achieved. The
complex has no adverse effects, such as occurrence of recombinants or
toxicity which could be caused by using a virus vector such as
adenovirus, or liposome. Thus, the complex is particularly preferable for
the field of gene therapy. Furthermore, the complex enhances the
biological effect of the nucleic acid introduced into the cells, allowing
a gene therapy with a lower dose of nucleic acids.