A DNA aptamer with high affinity and specificity for molecular recognition and targeting therapy of gastric cancer

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Molecular Biology
• Oncology

Background:

• Aptamers are valuable molecular probes for cancer diagnosis and therapy.
• DNA aptamer cy-apt 20 was developed using live cell-SELEX.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of using DNA aptamer cy-apt 20 for gastric cancer detection and targeting.
• To assess the specificity, sensitivity, and biostability of cy-apt 20 against gastric cancer.

Main Methods:

• Binding assays were performed to determine specificity.
• Cell fluorescence imaging and in vivo tumor imaging were used to visualize targeting.
• Comparison with non-gastric cancers was conducted.

Main Results:

• Cy-apt 20 exhibited a maximal binding rate over 78% to gastric cancer cells, significantly higher than non-gastric cancer cells.
• Targeting recognition was visualized using minimal doses of fluorochrome-labeled cy-apt 20.
• Gastric cancer showed approximately 7-fold higher fluorescence intensity in vitro and 5-fold higher in vivo compared to non-gastric cancers, with signals lasting over 50 min in vitro and 240 min in vivo.

Conclusions:

• Cy-apt 20 is a highly specific and sensitive molecular probe for gastric cancer.
• The aptamer demonstrates good biostability, suitable for molecular recognition and targeted therapy.
• Cy-apt 20 shows promise as a diagnostic and therapeutic agent for gastric cancer.