Anti-VEGF DNA-based aptamers in cancer therapeutics and diagnostics

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family and its receptors play fundamental roles not only in physiological but also in pathological angiogenesis, characteristic of cancer progression. Aiming at finding putative treatments for several malignancies, various small molecules, antibodies, or protein-based drugs have been evaluated in vitro and in vivo as VEGF inhibitors, providing efficient agents approved for clinical use. Due to the high clinical importance of VEGF, also a great number of anti-VEGF nucleic acid-based aptamers-that is, oligonucleotides able to bind with high affinity and specificity a selected biological target-have been developed as promising agents in anticancer strategies. Notable research efforts have been made in optimization processes of the identified aptamers, searching for increased target affinity and/or bioactivity by exploring structural analogues of the lead compounds. This review is focused on recent studies devoted to the development of DNA-based aptamers designed to target VEGF. Their therapeutic potential as well as their significance in the construction of highly selective biosensors is here discussed.

Enhanced electrochemical sensing of dopamine in the presence of AA and UA using a curcumin functionalized gold nanoparticle modified electrode

In the present study, a electrochemical sensor for the determination of dopamine was developed with green synthesised gold nanoparticles using curcumin as a reducing and, functionalizing agent.

Highly sensitive label free electrochemical detection of VGEF165 tumor marker based on "signal off" and "signal on" strategies using an anti-VEGF165 aptamer immobilized BSA-gold nanoclusters/ionic liquid/glassy carbon electrode

In this work, a label free electrochemical aptasensor for the detection of ultra-traces of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF165) based on "signal off" and "signal on" mechanisms of response was developed. The BSA-gold nanoclusters/ionic liquid (BSA-AuNCs/IL) was used as a suitable nanocomposite platform for immobilization of the aptamer on a glassy carbon electrode. In "signal off" mechanism, the interaction of VEGF165 with its anti-VEGF165 aptamers, resulted in desorption of methylene blue (MB) probe from aptamer and its release into solution. Consequently, the decrease in current intensity of the differential pulse voltammogram of adsorbed MB was monitored and found to be linearly proportional with increasing concentration of VEGF165 in sample solution in the range of 1-120 pM with a limit of detection of 0.32p M. While, in "signal on" mechanism, the interaction of immobilized anti-VEGF165 aptamers on the electrode surface with VEGF165, led to more mass-transfer limiting of the [Fe(CN)6](3-/4-) probe to the electrode surface. Therefore, the charge transfer resistance (Rct) of the probe was increased linearly with increasing concentration of VEGF165 in the range of 2.5-250 pM with a limit of detection of 0.48 pM. The experimental results demonstrated that both of these mechanisms are suitable for determination of low levels of the VEGF165 tumor marker in serum samples.

Imine modified ZnO nanoparticles: a luminescent chemodosimeter for Al3+ and S2− ions based on ligand displacement reaction

A novel fluorescent chemosensor for rapid recognition of Al³⁺ and S²⁻ ions using imine capped ZnO nanoparticles in aqueous media.