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Goh KW, Stephen A, Wu YS, Sim MS, Batumalaie K, Gopinath SC, Guad RM, Kumar A, Sekar M, Subramaniyan V, Fuloria NK, Fuloria S, Velaga A, Sarker MMR. Molecular Targets of Aptamers in Gastrointestinal Cancers: Cancer Detection, Therapeutic Applications, and Associated Mechanisms. J Cancer 2023; 14:2491-2516. [PMID: 37670975 PMCID: PMC10475355 DOI: 10.7150/jca.85260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are among the most common cancers that impact the global population, with high mortality and low survival rates after breast and lung cancers. Identifying useful molecular targets in GI cancers are crucial for improving diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment outcomes, however, limited by poor targeting and drug delivery system. Aptamers are often utilized in the field of biomarkers identification, targeting, and as a drug/inhibitor delivery cargo. Their natural and chemically modifiable binding capability, high affinity, and specificity are favored over antibodies and potential early diagnostic imaging and drug delivery applications. Studies have demonstrated the use of different aptamers as drug delivery agents and early molecular diagnostic and detection probes for treating cancers. This review aims to first describe aptamers' generation, characteristics, and classifications, also providing insights into their recent applications in the diagnosis and medical imaging, prognosis, and anticancer drug delivery system of GI cancers. Besides, it mainly discussed the relevant molecular targets and associated molecular mechanisms involved, as well as their applications for potential treatments for GI cancers. In addition, the current applications of aptamers in a clinical setting to treat GI cancers are deciphered. In conclusion, aptamers are multifunctional molecules that could be effectively used as an anticancer agent or drug delivery system for treating GI cancers and deserve further investigations for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khang Wen Goh
- Faculty of Data Science and Information Technology, INTI International University, 71800 Nilai, Malaysia
| | - Annatasha Stephen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Yuan Seng Wu
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
| | - Maw Shin Sim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Kalaivani Batumalaie
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Asia Metropolitan University, 81750 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
| | - Subash C.B. Gopinath
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Arau 02600, Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering, Kangar 01000, Micro System Technology, Centre of Excellence, Arau 02600, Pauh Campus, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Perlis, Malaysia
- Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), 01000 Kangar, Perlis, Malaysia
- Micro System Technology, Centre of Excellence (CoE), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Pauh Campus, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Faculty of Science and Information Technology, Daffodil International University, Daffodil Smart City, Birulia, Savar, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh
| | - Rhanye Mac Guad
- Department of Biomedical Science and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Ashok Kumar
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Centre, Kansas City, Kansas 66103, United States
| | - Mahendran Sekar
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia
| | - Vetriselvan Subramaniyan
- Department of Pharmacology, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, MONASH University, Malaysia
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Bioscience and Nursing, MAHSA University, Selangor 42610, Malaysia
| | - Neeraj Kumar Fuloria
- Centre of Excellence for Biomaterials Engineering & Faculty of Pharmacy, AIMST University, Bedong 08100, Malaysia
- Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India
| | - Shivkanya Fuloria
- Faculty of Pharmacy, AIMST University, Semeling, Bedong 08100, Malaysia
| | - Appalaraju Velaga
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, MAHSA University, Selangor 42610, Malaysia
| | - Md. Moklesur Rahman Sarker
- Department of Pharmacy, State University of Bangladesh, 77 Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh
- Health Med Science Research Network, 3/1, Block F, Lalmatia, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
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Lam SY, Lau HL, Kwok CK. Capture-SELEX: Selection Strategy, Aptamer Identification, and Biosensing Application. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12121142. [PMID: 36551109 PMCID: PMC9776347 DOI: 10.3390/bios12121142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Small-molecule contaminants, such as antibiotics, pesticides, and plasticizers, have emerged as one of the substances most detrimental to human health and the environment. Therefore, it is crucial to develop low-cost, user-friendly, and portable biosensors capable of rapidly detecting these contaminants. Antibodies have traditionally been used as biorecognition elements. However, aptamers have recently been applied as biorecognition elements in aptamer-based biosensors, also known as aptasensors. The systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) is an in vitro technique used to generate aptamers that bind their targets with high affinity and specificity. Over the past decade, a modified SELEX method known as Capture-SELEX has been widely used to generate DNA or RNA aptamers that bind small molecules. In this review, we summarize the recent strategies used for Capture-SELEX, describe the methods commonly used for detecting and characterizing small-molecule-aptamer interactions, and discuss the development of aptamer-based biosensors for various applications. We also discuss the challenges of the Capture-SELEX platform and biosensor development and the possibilities for their future application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sin Yu Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution and Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Hill Lam Lau
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution and Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Chun Kit Kwok
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution and Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China
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Oravczová V, Garaiová Z, Hianik T. Nanoparticles and Nanomotors Modified by Nucleic Acids Aptamers for Targeted Drug Delivery. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162021020187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Subjakova V, Oravczova V, Hianik T. Polymer Nanoparticles and Nanomotors Modified by DNA/RNA Aptamers and Antibodies in Targeted Therapy of Cancer. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:341. [PMID: 33494545 PMCID: PMC7866063 DOI: 10.3390/polym13030341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Polymer nanoparticles and nano/micromotors are novel nanostructures that are of increased interest especially in the diagnosis and therapy of cancer. These structures are modified by antibodies or nucleic acid aptamers and can recognize the cancer markers at the membrane of the cancer cells or in the intracellular side. They can serve as a cargo for targeted transport of drugs or nucleic acids in chemo- immuno- or gene therapy. The various mechanisms, such as enzyme, ultrasound, magnetic, electrical, or light, served as a driving force for nano/micromotors, allowing their transport into the cells. This review is focused on the recent achievements in the development of polymer nanoparticles and nano/micromotors modified by antibodies and nucleic acid aptamers. The methods of preparation of polymer nanoparticles, their structure and properties are provided together with those for synthesis and the application of nano/micromotors. The various mechanisms of the driving of nano/micromotors such as chemical, light, ultrasound, electric and magnetic fields are explained. The targeting drug delivery is based on the modification of nanostructures by receptors such as nucleic acid aptamers and antibodies. Special focus is therefore on the method of selection aptamers for recognition cancer markers as well as on the comparison of the properties of nucleic acid aptamers and antibodies. The methods of immobilization of aptamers at the nanoparticles and nano/micromotors are provided. Examples of applications of polymer nanoparticles and nano/micromotors in targeted delivery and in controlled drug release are presented. The future perspectives of biomimetic nanostructures in personalized nanomedicine are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tibor Hianik
- Department of Nuclear Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Mlynska dolina F1, 842 48 Bratislava, Slovakia; (V.S.); (V.O.)
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Jugniot N, Bam R, Meuillet EJ, Unger EC, Paulmurugan R. Current status of targeted microbubbles in diagnostic molecular imaging of pancreatic cancer. Bioeng Transl Med 2021; 6:e10183. [PMID: 33532585 PMCID: PMC7823123 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is often associated with a poor prognosis due to silent onset, resistance to therapies, and rapid spreading. Most patients are ineligible for curable surgery as they present with advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. Present diagnostic methods relying on anatomical changes have various limitations including difficulty to discriminate between benign and malignant conditions, invasiveness, the ambiguity of imaging results, or the inability to detect molecular biomarkers of PDAC initiation and progression. Therefore, new imaging technologies with high sensitivity and specificity are critically needed for accurately detecting PDAC and noninvasively characterizing molecular features driving its pathogenesis. Contrast enhanced targeted ultrasound (CETUS) is an upcoming molecular imaging modality that specifically addresses these issues. Unlike anatomical imaging modalities such as CT and MRI, molecular imaging using CETUS is promising for early and accurate detection of PDAC. The use of molecularly targeted microbubbles that bind to neovascular targets can enhance the ultrasound signal specifically from malignant PDAC tissues. This review discusses the current state of diagnostic imaging modalities for pancreatic cancer and places a special focus on ultrasound targeted-microbubble technology together with its clinical translatability for PDAC detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natacha Jugniot
- Department of RadiologyMolecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford UniversityPalo AltoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Rakesh Bam
- Department of RadiologyMolecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford UniversityPalo AltoCaliforniaUSA
| | | | | | - Ramasamy Paulmurugan
- Department of RadiologyMolecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford UniversityPalo AltoCaliforniaUSA
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Ning Y, Hu J, Lu F. Aptamers used for biosensors and targeted therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 132:110902. [PMID: 33096353 PMCID: PMC7574901 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are single-stranded nucleic acid sequences that can bind to target molecules with high selectivity and affinity. Most aptamers are screened in vitro by a combinatorial biology technique called systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Since aptamers were discovered in the 1990s, they have attracted considerable attention and have been widely used in many fields owing to their unique advantages. In this review, we present an overview of the advancements made in aptamers used for biosensors and targeted therapy. For the former, we will discuss multiple aptamer-based biosensors with different principles detected by various signaling methods. For the latter, we will focus on aptamer-based targeted therapy using aptamers as both biotechnological tools for targeted drug delivery and as targeted therapeutic agents. Finally, challenges and new perspectives associated with these two regions were further discussed. We hope that this review will help researchers interested in aptamer-related biosensing and targeted therapy research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Ning
- Department of Microbiology, The Medicine School of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, PR China
| | - Jue Hu
- Department of Microbiology, The Medicine School of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, PR China
| | - Fangguo Lu
- Department of Microbiology, The Medicine School of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, PR China.
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Koudrina A, DeRosa MC. Advances in Medical Imaging: Aptamer- and Peptide-Targeted MRI and CT Contrast Agents. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:22691-22701. [PMID: 32954116 PMCID: PMC7495450 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c02650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are among the most well-established modalities in the field of noninvasive medical imaging. Despite being powerful tools, both suffer from a number of limitations and often fall short when it comes to full delineation of pathological tissues. Since its conception, molecular imaging has been commonly utilized to further the understanding of disease progression, as well as monitor treatment efficacy. This has naturally led to the advancement of the field of targeted imaging. Targeted imaging research is currently dominated by ligand-modified contrast media for applications in MRI and CT imaging. Although a plethora of targeting ligands exist, a fine balance between their size and target binding efficiency must be considered. This review will focus on aptamer- and peptide-modified contrast agents, outlining selected formulations developed in recent years while highlighting the advantages offered by these targeting ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Koudrina
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S
5B6, Canada
| | - Maria C. DeRosa
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S
5B6, Canada
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Aptamers: a novel targeted theranostic platform for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Radiat Oncol 2020; 15:189. [PMID: 32758252 PMCID: PMC7409417 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-020-01624-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an extremely challenging disease with a high mortality rate and a short overall survival time. The poor prognosis can be explained by aggressive tumor growth, late diagnosis, and therapy resistance. Consistent efforts have been made focusing on early tumor detection and novel drug development. Various strategies aim at increasing target specificity or local enrichment of chemotherapeutics as well as imaging agents in tumor tissue. Aptamers have the potential to provide early detection and permit anti-cancer therapy with significantly reduced side effects. These molecules are in-vitro selected single-stranded oligonucleotides that form stable three-dimensional structures. They are capable of binding to a variety of molecular targets with high affinity and specificity. Several properties such as high binding affinity, the in vitro chemical process of selection, a variety of chemical modifications of molecular platforms for diverse function, non-immunoreactivity, modification of bioavailability, and manipulation of pharmacokinetics make aptamers attractive targets compared to conventional cell-specific ligands. To explore the potential of aptamers for early diagnosis and targeted therapy of PDAC - as single agents and in combination with radiotherapy - we summarize the generation process of aptamers and their application as biosensors, biomarker detection tools, targeted imaging tracers, and drug-delivery carriers. We are furthermore discussing the current implementation aptamers in clinical trials, their limitations and possible future utilization.
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Tran PHL, Xiang D, Nguyen TNG, Tran TTD, Chen Q, Yin W, Zhang Y, Kong L, Duan A, Chen K, Sun M, Li Y, Hou Y, Zhu Y, Ma Y, Jiang G, Duan W. Aptamer-guided extracellular vesicle theranostics in oncology. Theranostics 2020; 10:3849-3866. [PMID: 32226524 PMCID: PMC7086349 DOI: 10.7150/thno.39706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past decade, the study of exosomes, nanosized vesicles (50-150 nm) released into the extracellular space via the fusion of multivesicular bodies with the plasma membrane, has burgeoned with impressive achievements in theranostics applications. These nanosized vesicles have emerged as key players in homeostasis and in the pathogenesis of diseases owing to the variety of the cargos they can carry, the nature of the molecules packaged inside the vesicles, and the robust interactions between exosomes and target cells or tissues. Accordingly, the development of exosome-based liquid biopsy techniques for early disease detection and for monitoring disease progression marks a new era of precision medicine in the 21st century. Moreover, exosomes possess intrinsic properties - a nanosized structure and unique "homing effects" - that make them outstanding drug delivery vehicles. In addition, targeted exosome-based drug delivery systems can be further optimized using active targeting ligands such as nucleic acid aptamers. Indeed, the aptamers themselves can function as therapeutic and/or diagnostic tools based on their attributes of unique target-binding and non-immunogenicity. This review aims to provide readers with a current picture of the research on exosomes and aptamers and their applications in cancer theranostics, highlighting recent advances in their transition from the bench to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong H-L Tran
- School of Medicine and Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dongxi Xiang
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louise Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Tuong N-G Nguyen
- School of Medicine and Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thao T-D Tran
- Department for Management of Science and Technology Development, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Qian Chen
- Translational Medical Center, The Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China, 100853
| | - Wang Yin
- School of Medicine and Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yumei Zhang
- School of Medicine and Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lingxue Kong
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, 3216, Australia
| | - Andrew Duan
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, 27 Rainforest Walk, Clayton VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Kuisheng Chen
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, He'nan Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathology, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Miomio Sun
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, He'nan Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathology, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yong Li
- Cancer Care Centre, St George Hospital, Kogarah, and St George and Sutherland Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Yingchun Hou
- Laboratory of Tumor Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, 620 West Chang'an Avenue, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Yimin Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yongchao Ma
- Clinical School, Luohe Medical College, 148, Daxue Road, Luohe City, Henan Province, 462000, China
| | - Guoqin Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 1055 Sanxiang Road, Suzhou, P.R. China, 215004
| | - Wei Duan
- School of Medicine and Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
- GenePharma-Deakin Joint Laboratory of Aptamer Medicine, Suzhou 215123, China and Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
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