A basic insight into aptamer-drug conjugates (ApDCs)

Wenjing Xuan; Yongbo Peng; Zhengyu Deng; Tianhuan Peng; Hailan Kuai; Yingying Li; Jiaxuan He; Cheng Jin; Yanlan Liu; Ruowen Wang; Weihong Tan

doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.08.021

A basic insight into aptamer-drug conjugates (ApDCs)

Biomaterials. 2018 Nov:182:216-226. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.08.021. Epub 2018 Aug 8.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China.
² Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai 200240, China.
³ Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai 200240, China; Department of Chemistry and Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, Center for Research at the Bio/Nano Interface, Health Cancer Center, UF Genetics Institute and McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7200, United States. Electronic address: tan@chem.ufl.edu.

PMID: 30138784
DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.08.021

Abstract

Aptamers are often compared with antibodies since both types of molecules function as targeting ligands for specific cancer cell recognition. However, aptamers offer several advantages, including small size, facile chemical modification, high chemical stability, low immunogenicity, rapid tissue penetration, and engineering simplicity. Despite these advantages, several crucial factors have delayed their clinical translation, such as concerns over inherent physicochemical stability and safety. Meanwhile, steps have been taken to make aptamer-drug conjugates, or ApDCs, a clinically practical tool. In this review, we highlight the development of ApDCs and discuss how researchers are solving some problems associated with their clinical application for targeted therapy.

Keywords: Aptamer-drug conjugates (ApDCs); Aptamers; Cell-SELEX; Targeted therapy.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry*
Drug Carriers / chemistry*
Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
Humans
Pharmaceutical Preparations / administration & dosage*
Pharmaceutical Preparations / chemistry
SELEX Aptamer Technique / methods*

Substances

Aptamers, Nucleotide
Drug Carriers
Pharmaceutical Preparations