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Aptamer Therapeutics in Cancer: Current and Future
Yoshihiro Morita1, Macall Leslie2, Hiroyasu Kameyama3
1Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 975 NE 10th, BRC-W, Rm 1415, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. yoshihiro-morita@ouhsc.edu.
Cancers
|March 23, 2018
Summary
Aptamers, or oligonucleotide therapeutics, offer high specificity and affinity for targeting diseases. Despite challenges like short half-lives, aptamer technology shows promise for cancer treatments.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Biology
- Drug Development
Background:
- Aptamers are DNA or RNA oligonucleotides with high binding affinity and selectivity.
- They mimic small molecules, offering advantages over antibodies like chemical synthesis and low immunogenicity.
- Aptamers can be modified and conjugated for diverse therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the advantages and challenges of aptamer technology for clinical translation.
- To discuss the potential of aptamers as therapeutic agents, particularly in oncology.
- To highlight aptamer-based therapeutics currently in clinical trials.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of aptamer technology and applications.
- Analysis of aptamer properties, including synthesis, modification, and clinical utility.
- Discussion of challenges and future directions for aptamer-based therapies.
Main Results:
- Aptamers offer rapid development of targeting ligands with high specificity and affinity.
- Chemical synthesis, modification flexibility, and low immunogenicity are key advantages.
- Challenges include short plasma half-lives and renal excretion, requiring structural modifications.
Conclusions:
- Aptamer technology presents a promising frontier in drug development, especially for oncology.
- Despite challenges, ongoing research and clinical trials indicate significant therapeutic potential.
- The first FDA-approved aptamer drug (Macugen®) paved the way for further aptamer therapeutics.
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