[Advances in cancer stem cell markers and their targeting aptamers]

Cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death globally and has surpassed cardiovascular diseases to become the primary cause of mortality in developed countries. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), which play crucial roles in cancer recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance, have attracted significant attention in targeted therapeutic strategies. Aptamers, with unique three-dimensional structures capable of specifically recognizing the surface markers of CSCs, show promising potential in targeted drug delivery systems. Compared with conventional antibodies, aptamers are praised for small molecular weights, low production costs, and easy chemical modification. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in aptamer research targeting the surface markers of CSCs, with particular emphasis on aptamer-drug conjugate systems targeting the markers including EpCAM, CD133, CD44, and ABCG2. Both in vitro cellular studies and in vivo animal models have demonstrated the definite anti-cancer efficacy of aptamer-based drug delivery systems, which are of great significance to develop novel therapeutic strategies and improving the therapeutic effects of CSC-targeted treatment. Thus, aptamer-based drug delivery system has broad application prospects in the field of precise cancer treatment.