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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Development of Cell-type specific anti-HIV gp120 aptamers for siRNA delivery
Published on: June 23, 2011
Intracellular delivery of RNA-based therapeutics using aptamers
Kristina W Thiel1, Paloma H Giangrande
1Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, 375 Newton Rd, 5202 MERF, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
Abstract:
The clinical potential of siRNAs for silencing genes critical to disease progression is clear, but a fail-proof method for delivering siRNAs to the cytoplasm of diseased tissues or cells has yet to be identified. A variety of delivery approaches have been explored to directly or indirectly couple siRNAs to delivery vehicles. This review explores the use of synthetic single-stranded DNA and RNA aptamers as a means to deliver siRNAs, shRNAs and antisense oligonucleotides for therapeutic intervention. Topics covered include: the advantages and challenges of using aptamers as delivery tools; current aptamer-mediated siRNA delivery platforms for the treatment of cancer and HIV; and emerging methodologies for the identification of aptamers capable of internalizing into target cell types.
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