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Therapeutic applications of aptamers
1National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Department of Biotechnology, Sector 67, SAS. Nagar, Punjab 160 062, India. ipsita@niper.ac.in
Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs
|December 22, 2007
Summary
Aptamers, or chemical antibodies, are emerging as important therapeutic oligonucleotides. Their development, exemplified by pegaptanib, faces challenges but shows significant promise compared to traditional drugs.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Aptamers are a novel class of oligonucleotides gaining traction in therapeutics.
- The approval of pegaptanib has spurred interest in aptamers as 'chemical antibodies'.
- This field intersects with other oligonucleotide technologies like antisense and ribozymes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss aptamers in the context of other oligonucleotide therapeutics.
- To examine the challenges and successes in developing aptamer-based drugs, using pegaptanib as a case study.
- To compare aptamers with established therapeutic modalities like antibodies and small molecules.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and comparative analysis of aptamer technology.
- Case study analysis of pegaptanib development.
- Exploration of potential therapeutic applications of other aptamers.
Main Results:
- Pegaptanib's development highlights hurdles in translating aptamers into viable drugs.
- Several other aptamers demonstrate considerable therapeutic potential.
- Aptamers offer a promising alternative to antibodies and small molecules in certain therapeutic areas.
Conclusions:
- Aptamers represent a significant advancement in oligonucleotide therapeutics.
- Overcoming development challenges can unlock the full potential of aptamer drugs.
- Aptamers are poised to become key players in the pharmaceutical landscape.
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