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Updated: Jul 17, 2025
A Flow Cytometry-Based Cell Surface Protein Binding Assay for Assessing Selectivity and Specificity of an Anticancer Aptamer
Published on: September 13, 2022
Targeting triple-negative breast cancer cells with a β1-integrin binding aptamer
Karlis Pleiko1,2, Maarja Haugas2, Vadims Parfejevs1
1Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, House of Science, Jelgavas Str. 3, 1004 Riga, Latvia.
Abstract:
Targeted therapies have increased the treatment options for triple-negative breast cancer patients. However, the paucity of targetable biomarkers and tumor heterogeneity have limited the ability of precision-guided interventions to live up to their full potential. As affinity-targeting ligands, aptamers show high selectivity toward target molecules. Compared with antibodies, aptamers have lower molecular weight, increased stability during transportation, reduced immunogenicity, and increased tissue uptake. Recently, we reported discovery of the GreenB1 aptamer, which is internalized in cultured triple-negative MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. We show that the GreenB1 aptamer specifically targets β1-integrin, a protein linked previously to breast cancer cell invasiveness and migration. Aptamer binds to β1-integrin with low nanomolar affinity. Our findings suggest potential applications for GreenB1-guided precision agents for diagnosis and therapy of cancers overexpressing β1-integrin.
Insights
A new aptamer, GreenB1, targets β1-integrin in triple-negative breast cancer cells. This discovery offers potential for novel precision diagnostics and therapies for cancers expressing this protein.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering
- Cancer Research and Therapeutics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment is limited by a lack of targetable biomarkers and tumor heterogeneity.
- Precision medicine requires effective targeting strategies for cancer cells.
- Aptamers offer advantages over antibodies, including smaller size, enhanced stability, and reduced immunogenicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel aptamers for targeting triple-negative breast cancer.
- To evaluate the specificity and affinity of the GreenB1 aptamer for its target molecule.
- To explore the potential of the GreenB1 aptamer in developing precision diagnostic and therapeutic agents.
Main Methods:
- Discovery and characterization of the GreenB1 aptamer.
- In vitro studies using cultured triple-negative MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells.
- Assessment of aptamer internalization and binding specificity to β1-integrin.
- Determination of aptamer-target binding affinity.
Main Results:
- The GreenB1 aptamer was successfully discovered and shown to be internalized in TNBC cells.
- GreenB1 specifically targets β1-integrin, a protein associated with cancer cell invasiveness and migration.
- The aptamer exhibits low nanomolar affinity for β1-integrin.
Conclusions:
- The GreenB1 aptamer demonstrates high specificity and affinity for β1-integrin in triple-negative breast cancer.
- This aptamer holds significant promise for the development of targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
- GreenB1-guided agents could improve precision interventions for cancers overexpressing β1-integrin.
