The potential of aptamers for cancer research

Zhizhi Zhou; Mingying Liu; Jiahuan Jiang

doi:10.1016/j.ab.2018.03.008

The potential of aptamers for cancer research

Anal Biochem. 2018 May 15:549:91-95. doi: 10.1016/j.ab.2018.03.008. Epub 2018 Mar 13.

Authors

Zhizhi Zhou¹, Mingying Liu², Jiahuan Jiang³

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China. Electronic address: dzhizhou@cqu.edu.cn.
² Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
³ Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China. Electronic address: jhuan@cqu.edu.cn.

PMID: 29548926
DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2018.03.008

Abstract

Aptamers are promising alternatives to antibodies and can be used as high affinity agents for the cancer detection and the targeted drug transportation. In this manuscript, we highlight the advantages of aptamers, such as high affinities, specificity and excellent chemical stabilities, which are likely to benefit for the diagnosis of cancer in its early stages and then achieve molecular-level treatment. Also, we discuss the challenges and problems in the current application of aptamers.

Keywords: Aptamer; Aptasensor; Biomarker; Nucleic acids; SELEX; Tumor cell.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Animals
Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
Aptamers, Nucleotide* / chemistry
Aptamers, Nucleotide* / therapeutic use
Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
Humans
Neoplasms / drug therapy*
Neoplasms / metabolism
Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

Antineoplastic Agents
Aptamers, Nucleotide