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Innovative Applications of Nucleic Acid Aptamers in Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy: From Selection

Jun-Fei Lu1, Xin-Ran Zhang1, Ye Liu2

  • 1Oncology Department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, People's Republic of China.

International Journal of Nanomedicine
|November 12, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Nucleic acid aptamers show promise for colorectal cancer (CRC) early detection and targeted therapy. These "chemical antibodies" offer precise diagnostics and novel treatment strategies, advancing precision medicine for CRC.

Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Oncology
  • Nanomedicine

Background:

  • Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health challenge with high incidence and mortality.
  • Current screening and therapeutic strategies for CRC require improvement for better patient outcomes.
  • Nucleic acid aptamers offer a promising alternative due to their specificity, modifiability, and cost-effective synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of nucleic acid aptamers in colorectal cancer.
  • To highlight advancements in aptamer-based biosensors and drug delivery systems for CRC.
  • To discuss challenges and future perspectives for aptamer implementation in CRC precision medicine.

Main Methods:

  • Integration of aptamers with biosensing technologies (fluorescence, SERS, electrochemical) and nanomaterials (quantum dots, gold nanoparticles, graphene) for biomarker detection.
  • Development of aptamer-decorated nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery with responsive release mechanisms.
  • Review of aptamer-based immunotherapies, including PD-1/PD-L1 blockade and combination strategies.

Main Results:

  • Aptamer-based biosensors enable ultrasensitive detection of CRC biomarkers (CEA, miRNAs, exosomes, CTCs).
  • Aptamer-conjugated nanocarriers facilitate targeted drug delivery and controlled release in CRC models.
  • Emerging aptamer immunotherapies show potential for enhancing anti-tumor immune responses.

Conclusions:

  • Nucleic acid aptamers are versatile tools for both early detection and targeted therapy of colorectal cancer.
  • Overcoming challenges in stability, delivery, and clinical translation is crucial for widespread adoption.
  • Future directions include AI-driven design, multi-omics integration, and standardized trials for advancing aptamer-based CRC precision medicine.
Keywords:
biosensorclinical translationcolorectal cancermolecular diagnosisnucleic acid aptamerstargeted drug delivery

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