Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 9, 2025
A Flow Cytometry-Based Cell Surface Protein Binding Assay for Assessing Selectivity and Specificity of an Anticancer Aptamer
Published on: September 13, 2022
Aptamer grafted nanoparticle as targeted therapeutic tool for the treatment of breast cancer
Afsana Sheikh1, Shadab Md2, Prashant Kesharwani1
1Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India.
Abstract:
Breast carcinomas repeat their number and grow exponentially making it extremely frequent malignancy among women. Approximately, 70-80% of early diagnosed or non-metastatic conditions are treatable while the metastatic cases are considered ineffective to treat with current ample amount of therapy. Target based anti-cancer treatment has been in the limelight for decades and is perceived significant consideration of scientists. Aptamers are the 'coming of age' therapeutic approach, selected using an appropriate tool from the library of sequences. Aptamers are non-immunogenic, stable, and high-affinity ligand which are poised to reach the clinical benchmark. With the heed in nanoparticle application, the delivery of aptamer to the specific site could be enhanced which also protects them from nuclease degradation. Moreover, nanoparticles due to robust structure, high drug entrapment, and modifiable release of cargo could serve as a successful candidate in the treatment of breast carcinoma. This review would showcase the method and modified method of selection of aptamers, aptamers that were able to make its way towards clinical trial and their targetability and selectivity towards breast cancers. The appropriate usage of aptamer-based biosensor in breast cancer diagnosis have also been discussed.
Insights
Aptamers, a novel therapeutic, show promise for treating breast cancer, especially when delivered via nanoparticles. This approach enhances drug delivery and stability, offering new hope for metastatic conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Oncology
- Nanomedicine
Background:
- Breast cancer is a frequent malignancy, with metastatic cases being difficult to treat.
- Target-based therapies are crucial, and aptamers are emerging as a significant therapeutic approach.
- Nanoparticles offer enhanced delivery and protection for aptamers, showing potential in breast cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review aptamer selection methods and their clinical progress in breast cancer.
- To explore aptamer targetability and selectivity for breast cancers.
- To discuss the application of aptamer-based biosensors for breast cancer diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of aptamer selection techniques, including modified methods.
- Analysis of aptamers that have advanced to clinical trials for breast cancer.
- Examination of nanoparticle-mediated aptamer delivery systems.
Main Results:
- Aptamers are stable, non-immunogenic, high-affinity ligands with therapeutic potential.
- Nanoparticle-aptamer conjugates enhance targeted delivery and protect against degradation.
- Aptamers demonstrate significant targetability and selectivity for breast cancer cells.
Conclusions:
- Aptamers, particularly when combined with nanoparticles, represent a promising strategy for breast cancer therapy and diagnosis.
- Further research into aptamer selection and delivery systems is warranted.
- Aptamer-based biosensors offer a valuable tool for early breast cancer detection.
