Next Article in Journal
Synthesis and Anticandidal Activity of New Imidazole-Chalcones
Next Article in Special Issue
Electrochemical Aptamer-Based Sensors for Rapid Point-of-Use Monitoring of the Mycotoxin Ochratoxin A Directly in a Food Stream
Previous Article in Journal
Exosome-Mediated Transfer of Cancer Cell Resistance to Antiestrogen Drugs
Previous Article in Special Issue
Practical Application of Aptamer-Based Biosensors in Detection of Low Molecular Weight Pollutants in Water Sources
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Review

Applications of Cancer Cell-Specific Aptamers in Targeted Delivery of Anticancer Therapeutic Agents

1
Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
2
Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Korea
3
Department of Emergency Medicine Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul 05278, Korea
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
These two authors contributed equally.
Molecules 2018, 23(4), 830; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23040830
Submission received: 7 March 2018 / Revised: 30 March 2018 / Accepted: 2 April 2018 / Published: 4 April 2018
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nucleic Acid Aptamers)

Abstract

Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides that specifically bind and interact with their corresponding targets, including proteins and cells, through unique three-dimensional structures. Numerous aptamers have been developed to target cancer biomarkers with high specificity and affinity, and some are employed as versatile guiding ligands for cancer-specific drug delivery and anti-cancer therapeutics. In this review, we list the aptamers that target tumor surface biomarkers and summarize the representative applications of aptamers as agonists and antagonists that activate anti-cancer and inactivate pro-cancer biomarkers, respectively. In addition, we describe applications of aptamer-drug or aptamer-oligonucleotide conjugates that can deliver therapeutic agents, including small interfering RNAs, micro RNAs, short hairpin RNAs, and chemotherapeutic molecules, to cancer cells. Moreover, we provide examples of aptamer- conjugated nano-vehicles, in which cancer-targeting oligonucleotide aptamers are conjugated with nano-vehicles such as liposomes, micelles, polymeric nanoparticles, and quantum dots. Conjugation of aptamers with anti-cancer drugs and nano-vehicles will facilitate innovative applications of aptamer-based cancer therapeutics.
Keywords: aptamer; targeted delivery; targeted cancer therapy; aptamer conjugates aptamer; targeted delivery; targeted cancer therapy; aptamer conjugates

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Kim, M.; Kim, D.-M.; Kim, K.-S.; Jung, W.; Kim, D.-E. Applications of Cancer Cell-Specific Aptamers in Targeted Delivery of Anticancer Therapeutic Agents. Molecules 2018, 23, 830. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23040830

AMA Style

Kim M, Kim D-M, Kim K-S, Jung W, Kim D-E. Applications of Cancer Cell-Specific Aptamers in Targeted Delivery of Anticancer Therapeutic Agents. Molecules. 2018; 23(4):830. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23040830

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kim, Minhee, Dong-Min Kim, Keun-Sik Kim, Woong Jung, and Dong-Eun Kim. 2018. "Applications of Cancer Cell-Specific Aptamers in Targeted Delivery of Anticancer Therapeutic Agents" Molecules 23, no. 4: 830. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23040830

APA Style

Kim, M., Kim, D.-M., Kim, K.-S., Jung, W., & Kim, D.-E. (2018). Applications of Cancer Cell-Specific Aptamers in Targeted Delivery of Anticancer Therapeutic Agents. Molecules, 23(4), 830. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23040830

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop