Aptamer-targeted oligonucleotide theranostics: a smarter approach for brain delivery and the treatment of neurological diseases

Curr Top Med Chem. 2015;15(12):1115-24. doi: 10.2174/1568026615666150413153928.

Abstract

Aptamers represent the novel class of oligonucleotides holding multiple applications in the area of biomedicine. The advancements introduced with the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX) approach further eased the scope of producing modified aptamers within a short span yet retaining the properties of stability and applicability. In the recent times, aptamers were identified to have the potential for penetrating into the deep human crevices and thus can be utilized in addressing the issues of complex neurological disorders. Considering the specificity and stability enhancement by chemical modifications, aptamer-based nanotechnologies may have great potential for future therapeutics and diagnostics (theranostics). The research community has already witnessed success with the approval of macugen (an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor aptamer) for treating degenerating eye disease, and hopefully those that are in the clinical trials will soon be translated for human application. Herein, we have summarized the aptamer chemistry, aptamer-nanoconjugates and their applications against neurological diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Alzheimer Disease / therapy
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / pharmacokinetics
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / therapeutic use*
  • Aptamers, Peptide / chemistry
  • Aptamers, Peptide / pharmacokinetics
  • Aptamers, Peptide / therapeutic use*
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / drug effects
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Humans
  • Macular Degeneration / metabolism
  • Macular Degeneration / pathology
  • Macular Degeneration / therapy
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / metabolism
  • Multiple Sclerosis / pathology
  • Multiple Sclerosis / therapy
  • Myasthenia Gravis / metabolism
  • Myasthenia Gravis / pathology
  • Myasthenia Gravis / therapy
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism
  • Parkinson Disease / pathology
  • Parkinson Disease / therapy
  • SELEX Aptamer Technique / methods*
  • Stroke / metabolism
  • Stroke / pathology
  • Stroke / therapy
  • Theranostic Nanomedicine / methods*

Substances

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide
  • Aptamers, Peptide
  • pegaptanib