1
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Chatterjee D, Bhattacharya S, Kumari L, Datta A. Aptamers: ushering in new hopes in targeted glioblastoma therapy. J Drug Target 2024:1-24. [PMID: 38923419 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2024.2373306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma, a formidable brain cancer, has remained a therapeutic challenge due to its aggressive nature and resistance to conventional treatments. Recent data indicate that aptamers, short synthetic DNA or RNA molecules can be used in anti-cancer therapy due to their better tumour penetration, specific binding affinity, longer retention in tumour sites and their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. With the ability to modify these oligonucleotides through the selection process, and using rational design to modify them, post-SELEX aptamers offer several advantages in glioblastoma treatment, including precise targeting of cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. This review discusses the pivotal role of aptamers in glioblastoma therapy and diagnosis, emphasising their potential to enhance treatment efficacy and also highlights recent advancements in aptamer-based therapies which can transform the landscape of glioblastoma treatment, offering renewed hope to patients and clinicians alike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debarpan Chatterjee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, NSHM Knowledge Campus, Kolkata-Group of Institutions, Kolkata, India
| | - Srijan Bhattacharya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, NSHM Knowledge Campus, Kolkata-Group of Institutions, Kolkata, India
| | - Leena Kumari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, NSHM Knowledge Campus, Kolkata-Group of Institutions, Kolkata, India
| | - Aparna Datta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, NSHM Knowledge Campus, Kolkata-Group of Institutions, Kolkata, India
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2
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Uinarni H, Oghenemaro EF, Menon SV, Hjazi A, Ibrahim FM, Kaur M, Zafarjonovna AZ, Deorari M, Jabir MS, Zwamel AH. Breaking Barriers: Nucleic Acid Aptamers in Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers Therapy. Cell Biochem Biophys 2024:10.1007/s12013-024-01367-w. [PMID: 38916791 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-024-01367-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Conventional cancer therapies can have significant adverse effects as they are not targeted to cancer cells and may damage healthy cells. Single-stranded oligonucleotides assembled in a particular architecture, known as aptamers, enable them to attach selectively to target areas. Usually, they are created by Systematic Evolution of Ligand by Exponential enrichment (SELEX), and they go through a rigorous pharmacological revision process to change their therapeutic half-life, affinity, and specificity. They could thus offer a viable substitute for antibodies in the targeted cancer treatment market. Although aptamers can be a better choice in some situations, antibodies are still appropriate for many other uses. The technique of delivering aptamers is simple and reasonable, and the time needed to manufacture them is relatively brief. Aptamers do not require animals or an immune response to be produced, in contrast to antibodies. When used as a medication, aptamers can directly suppress tumor cells. As an alternative, they can be included in systems for targeted drug delivery that administer medications specifically to tumor cells while reducing toxicity to healthy cells. The most recent and cutting-edge methods for treating gastrointestinal (GI) tract cancer with aptamers will be covered in this review, with a focus on targeted therapy as a means of conquering resistance to traditional medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herlina Uinarni
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine and Health Sciences Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.
- Radiology department of Pantai Indah Kapuk Hospital Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia.
| | - Enwa Felix Oghenemaro
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
| | - Soumya V Menon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Sciences, JAIN (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Ahmed Hjazi
- Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatma Magdi Ibrahim
- Assisstant professor, Community Health Nursing, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
- Lecturer, geriatric nursing, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mandeep Kaur
- Department of Sciences, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303012, India
| | | | - Mahamedha Deorari
- Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
| | - Majid S Jabir
- Department of applied sciences, University of technology, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ahmed Hussein Zwamel
- Medical laboratory technique college, the Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
- Medical laboratory technique college, the Islamic University of Al Diwaniyah, Al Diwaniyah, Iraq
- Medical laboratory technique college, the Islamic University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq
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3
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Chowdhury R, Eslami S, Pham CV, Rai A, Lin J, Hou Y, Greening DW, Duan W. Role of aptamer technology in extracellular vesicle biology and therapeutic applications. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:11457-11479. [PMID: 38856692 DOI: 10.1039/d4nr00207e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived nanosized membrane-bound vesicles that are important intercellular signalling regulators in local cell-to-cell and distant cell-to-tissue communication. Their inherent capacity to transverse cell membranes and transfer complex bioactive cargo reflective of their cell source, as well as their ability to be modified through various engineering and modification strategies, have attracted significant therapeutic interest. Molecular bioengineering strategies are providing a new frontier for EV-based therapy, including novel mRNA vaccines, antigen cross-presentation and immunotherapy, organ delivery and repair, and cancer immune surveillance and targeted therapeutics. The revolution of EVs, their diversity as biocarriers and their potential to contribute to intercellular communication, is well understood and appreciated but is ultimately dependent on the development of methods and techniques for their isolation, characterization and enhanced targeting. As single-stranded oligonucleotides, aptamers, also known as chemical antibodies, offer significant biological, chemical, economic, and therapeutic advantages in terms of their size, selectivity, versatility, and multifunctional programming. Their integration into the field of EVs has been contributing to the development of isolation, detection, and analysis pipelines associated with bioengineering strategies for nano-meets-molecular biology, thus translating their use for therapeutic and diagnostic utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocky Chowdhury
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, and IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Waurn Ponds, VIC, 3216, Australia.
| | - Sadegh Eslami
- Molecular Proteomics Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Cuong Viet Pham
- Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Alin Rai
- Molecular Proteomics Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Department of Cardiovascular Research, Translation and Implementation, and La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jia Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yingchu 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
| | - David W Greening
- Molecular Proteomics Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Department of Cardiovascular Research, Translation and Implementation, and La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Wei Duan
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, and IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Waurn Ponds, VIC, 3216, Australia.
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Thomas BJ, Guldenpfennig C, Daniels MA, Burke DH, Porciani D. Multiplexed In Vivo Screening Using Barcoded Aptamer Technology to Identify Oligonucleotide-Based Targeting Reagents. Nucleic Acid Ther 2024; 34:109-124. [PMID: 38752363 PMCID: PMC11250842 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2024.0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent FDA approvals of mRNA vaccines, short-interfering RNAs, and antisense oligonucleotides highlight the success of oligonucleotides as therapeutics. Aptamers are excellent affinity reagents that can selectively label protein biomarkers, but their clinical application has lagged. When formulating a given aptamer for in vivo use, molecular design details can determine biostability and biodistribution; therefore, extensive postselection manipulation is often required for each new design to identify clinically useful reagents harboring improved pharmacokinetic properties. Few methods are available to comprehensively screen such aptamers, especially in vivo, constituting a significant bottleneck in the field. In this study, we introduce barcoded aptamer technology (BApT) for multiplexed screening of predefined aptamer formulations in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrate this technology by simultaneously investigating 20 aptamer formulations, each harboring different molecular designs, for targeting Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer cells and tumors. Screening in vitro identified a 45 kDa bispecific formulation as the best cancer cell targeting reagent, whereas screening in vivo identified a 30 kDa monomeric formulation as the best tumor-specific targeting reagent. The multiplexed analysis pipeline also identified biodistribution phenotypes shared among formulations with similar molecular architectures. The BApT approach we describe here has the potential for broad application to fields where oligonucleotide-based targeting reagents are desired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J. Thomas
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Caitlyn Guldenpfennig
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Mark A. Daniels
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Donald H. Burke
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - David Porciani
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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5
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Yin X, Rong J, Shao M, Zhang S, Yin L, He Z, Wang X. Aptamer-functionalized nanomaterials (AFNs) for therapeutic management of hepatocellular carcinoma. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:243. [PMID: 38735927 PMCID: PMC11089756 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02486-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents one of the deadliest cancers globally, making the search for more effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches particularly crucial. Aptamer-functionalized nanomaterials (AFNs), an innovative nanotechnology, have paved new pathways for the targeted diagnosis and treatment of HCC. Initially, we outline the epidemiological background of HCC and the current therapeutic challenges. Subsequently, we explore in detail how AFNs enhance diagnostic and therapeutic efficiency and reduce side effects through the specific targeting of HCC cells and the optimization of drug delivery. Furthermore, we address the challenges faced by AFNs in clinical applications and future research directions, with a particular focus on enhancing their biocompatibility and assessing long-term effects. In summary, AFNs represent an avant-garde therapeutic approach, opening new avenues and possibilities for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujuan Yin
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Jing Rong
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Min Shao
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Saisai Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Likang Yin
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Zhenqiang He
- Clinical Medical College, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, Hebei, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China.
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MacLean MR, Walker OL, Arun RP, Fernando W, Marcato P. Informed by Cancer Stem Cells of Solid Tumors: Advances in Treatments Targeting Tumor-Promoting Factors and Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4102. [PMID: 38612911 PMCID: PMC11012648 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a subpopulation within tumors that promote cancer progression, metastasis, and recurrence due to their self-renewal capacity and resistance to conventional therapies. CSC-specific markers and signaling pathways highly active in CSCs have emerged as a promising strategy for improving patient outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the therapeutic targets associated with CSCs of solid tumors across various cancer types, including key molecular markers aldehyde dehydrogenases, CD44, epithelial cellular adhesion molecule, and CD133 and signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and Sonic Hedgehog. We discuss a wide array of therapeutic modalities ranging from targeted antibodies, small molecule inhibitors, and near-infrared photoimmunotherapy to advanced genetic approaches like RNA interference, CRISPR/Cas9 technology, aptamers, antisense oligonucleotides, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, CAR natural killer cells, bispecific T cell engagers, immunotoxins, drug-antibody conjugates, therapeutic peptides, and dendritic cell vaccines. This review spans developments from preclinical investigations to ongoing clinical trials, highlighting the innovative targeting strategies that have been informed by CSC-associated pathways and molecules to overcome therapeutic resistance. We aim to provide insights into the potential of these therapies to revolutionize cancer treatment, underscoring the critical need for a multi-faceted approach in the battle against cancer. This comprehensive analysis demonstrates how advances made in the CSC field have informed significant developments in novel targeted therapeutic approaches, with the ultimate goal of achieving more effective and durable responses in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya R. MacLean
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.R.M.); (O.L.W.); (R.P.A.); (W.F.)
| | - Olivia L. Walker
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.R.M.); (O.L.W.); (R.P.A.); (W.F.)
| | - Raj Pranap Arun
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.R.M.); (O.L.W.); (R.P.A.); (W.F.)
| | - Wasundara Fernando
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.R.M.); (O.L.W.); (R.P.A.); (W.F.)
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Paola Marcato
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.R.M.); (O.L.W.); (R.P.A.); (W.F.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
- Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
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7
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Zhou H, Abudureheman T, Zheng W, Yang L, Zhu J, Liang A, Duan C, Chen K. CAR-Aptamers Enable Traceless Enrichment and Monitoring of CAR-Positive Cells and Overcome Tumor Immune Escape. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2305566. [PMID: 38148412 PMCID: PMC10933668 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-positive cell therapy, specifically with anti-CD19 CAR-T (CAR19-T) cells, achieves a high complete response during tumor treatment for hematological malignancies. Large-scale production and application of CAR-T therapy can be achieved by developing efficient and low-cost enrichment methods for CAR-T cells, expansion monitoring in vivo, and overcoming tumor escape. Here, novel CAR-specific binding aptamers (CAR-ap) to traceless sort CAR-positive cells and obtain a high positive rate of CAR19-T cells is identified. Additionally, CAR-ap-enriched CAR19-T cells exhibit similar antitumor capacity as CAR-ab (anti-CAR antibody)-enriched CAR-T cells. Moreover, CAR-ap accurately monitors the expansion of CAR19-T cells in vivo and predicts the prognosis of CAR-T treatment. Essentially, a novel class of stable CAR-ap-based bispecific circular aptamers (CAR-bc-ap) is constructed by linking CAR-ap with a tumor surface antigen (TSA): protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) binding aptamer Sgc8. These CAR-bc-aps significantly enhance antitumor cytotoxicity with a loss of target antigens by retargeting CAR-T cells to the tumor in vitro and in vivo. Overall, novel CAR-aptamers are screened for traceless enrichment, monitoring of CAR-positive cells, and overcoming tumor cell immune escape. This provides a low-cost and high-throughput approach for CAR-positive cell-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical CenterShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200127China
| | - Tuersunayi Abudureheman
- Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical CenterShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200127China
- Fujian Branch of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, affiliated with Shanghai Jiaotong UniversitySchool of Medicine and Fujian Children's HospitalFuzhouFujian350005China
| | - Wei‐Wei Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical CenterShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200127China
| | - Li‐Ting Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical CenterShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200127China
| | - Jian‐Min Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical CenterShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200127China
| | - Ai‐Bin Liang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji HospitalTongji University School of MedicineShanghai200065China
| | - Cai‐Wen Duan
- Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical CenterShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200127China
- Fujian Branch of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, affiliated with Shanghai Jiaotong UniversitySchool of Medicine and Fujian Children's HospitalFuzhouFujian350005China
- Key Laboratory of Technical Evaluation of Fertility Regulation for Non‐human Primate, National Health CommissionFujian Maternity and Child Health HospitalFuzhouFujian350122China
| | - Kaiming Chen
- Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical CenterShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200127China
- Fujian Branch of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, affiliated with Shanghai Jiaotong UniversitySchool of Medicine and Fujian Children's HospitalFuzhouFujian350005China
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Sousa AM, Ferreira D, Rodrigues LR, Pereira MO. Aptamer-based therapy for fighting biofilm-associated infections. J Control Release 2024; 367:522-539. [PMID: 38295992 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.01.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Biofilms are key players in the pathogenesis of most of chronic infections associated with host tissue or fluids and indwelling medical devices. These chronic infections are hard to be treated due to the increased biofilms tolerance towards antibiotics in comparison to planktonic (or free living) cells. Despite the advanced understanding of their formation and physiology, biofilms continue to be a challenge and there is no standardized therapeutic approach in clinical practice to eradicate them. Aptamers offer distinctive properties, including excellent affinity, selectivity, stability, making them valuable tools for therapeutic purposes. This review explores the flexibility and designability of aptamers as antibiofilm drugs but, importantly, as targeting tools for diverse drug and delivery systems. It highlights specific examples of application of aptamers in biofilms of diverse species according to different modes of action including inhibition of motility and adhesion, blocking of quorum sensing molecules, and dispersal of biofilm-cells to planktonic state. Moreover, it discusses the limitations and challenges that impaired an increased success of the use of aptamers on biofilm management, as well as the opportunities related to aptamers modifications that can significantly expand their applicability on the biofilm field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Margarida Sousa
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Débora Ferreira
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Lígia Raquel Rodrigues
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Maria Olívia Pereira
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal.
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9
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Anil A, Chaskar J, Pawar AB, Tiwari A, Chaskar AC. Recent advances in DNA-based probes for photoacoustic imaging. J Biotechnol 2024; 382:8-20. [PMID: 38211667 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2023.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Photoacoustic imaging(PAI) is a widely developing imaging modality that has seen tremendous evolvement in the last decade. PAI has gained the upper hand in the imaging field as it takes advantage of optical absorption and ultrasound detection that imparts higher resolution, rich contrast and elevated penetration depth. Unlike other imaging techniques, PAI does not use ionising radiation and is a better, cost-effective and healthier alternative to other imaging techniques. It offers greater specificity than conventional ultrasound imaging with the ability to detect haemoglobin, lipids, water and other light-absorbing chromophores. These properties of PAI have led to its extended applications in the biomedical field in the treatment of diseases such as cancer. This paper reviews how DNA probes have been used in PAI, the various techniques by which it has been modified, and their role in the process. We also focus on different nanocomposites containing DNA having PAI and photothermal therapy(PTT) properties for detection, diagnosis and therapy, its constituents and the role of DNA in it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anusri Anil
- National Centre for Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, University of Mumbai, Kalina, Mumbai 400098, India
| | - Jyotsna Chaskar
- National Centre for Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, University of Mumbai, Kalina, Mumbai 400098, India
| | - Avinash B Pawar
- Department of Chemistry, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Yashwantrao Mohite College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Pune 411038, India
| | - Abhishekh Tiwari
- National Centre for Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, University of Mumbai, Kalina, Mumbai 400098, India.
| | - Atul Changdev Chaskar
- National Centre for Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, University of Mumbai, Kalina, Mumbai 400098, India; Department of Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai.
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10
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de Araújo NS, Moreira ADS, Abreu RDS, Junior VV, Antunes D, Mendonça JB, Sassaro TF, Jurberg AD, Ferreira-Reis R, Bastos NC, Fernandes PV, Guimarães ACR, Degrave WMS, Tilli TM, Waghabi MC. Aptamer-Based Recognition of Breast Tumor Cells: A New Era for Breast Cancer Diagnosis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:840. [PMID: 38255914 PMCID: PMC10815801 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women worldwide and can be classified into four major distinct molecular subtypes based on the expression of specific receptors. Despite significant advances, the lack of biomarkers for detailed diagnosis and prognosis remains a major challenge in the field of oncology. This study aimed to identify short single-stranded oligonucleotides known as aptamers to improve breast cancer diagnosis. The Cell-SELEX technique was used to select aptamers specific to the MDA-MB-231 tumor cell line. After selection, five aptamers demonstrated specific recognition for tumor breast cell lines and no binding to non-tumor breast cells. Validation of aptamer specificity revealed recognition of primary and metastatic tumors of all subtypes. In particular, AptaB4 and AptaB5 showed greater recognition of primary tumors and metastatic tissue, respectively. Finally, a computational biology approach was used to identify potential aptamer targets, which indicated that CSKP could interact with AptaB4. These results suggest that aptamers are promising in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment due to their specificity and selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natassia Silva de Araújo
- Laboratório de Genômica Aplicada e Bioinovações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (N.S.d.A.); (A.d.S.M.); (R.d.S.A.); (V.V.J.); (D.A.); (J.B.M.); (T.F.S.); (A.C.R.G.); (W.M.S.D.)
| | - Aline dos Santos Moreira
- Laboratório de Genômica Aplicada e Bioinovações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (N.S.d.A.); (A.d.S.M.); (R.d.S.A.); (V.V.J.); (D.A.); (J.B.M.); (T.F.S.); (A.C.R.G.); (W.M.S.D.)
| | - Rayane da Silva Abreu
- Laboratório de Genômica Aplicada e Bioinovações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (N.S.d.A.); (A.d.S.M.); (R.d.S.A.); (V.V.J.); (D.A.); (J.B.M.); (T.F.S.); (A.C.R.G.); (W.M.S.D.)
| | - Valdemir Vargas Junior
- Laboratório de Genômica Aplicada e Bioinovações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (N.S.d.A.); (A.d.S.M.); (R.d.S.A.); (V.V.J.); (D.A.); (J.B.M.); (T.F.S.); (A.C.R.G.); (W.M.S.D.)
| | - Deborah Antunes
- Laboratório de Genômica Aplicada e Bioinovações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (N.S.d.A.); (A.d.S.M.); (R.d.S.A.); (V.V.J.); (D.A.); (J.B.M.); (T.F.S.); (A.C.R.G.); (W.M.S.D.)
| | - Julia Badaró Mendonça
- Laboratório de Genômica Aplicada e Bioinovações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (N.S.d.A.); (A.d.S.M.); (R.d.S.A.); (V.V.J.); (D.A.); (J.B.M.); (T.F.S.); (A.C.R.G.); (W.M.S.D.)
| | - Tayanne Felippe Sassaro
- Laboratório de Genômica Aplicada e Bioinovações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (N.S.d.A.); (A.d.S.M.); (R.d.S.A.); (V.V.J.); (D.A.); (J.B.M.); (T.F.S.); (A.C.R.G.); (W.M.S.D.)
| | - Arnon Dias Jurberg
- Laboratório de Pesquisas sobre o Timo, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (A.D.J.); (R.F.-R.)
- Laboratório de Animais Transgênicos, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
- Instituto de Educação Médica (IDOMED), Universidade Estácio de Sá (UNESA)—Campus Vista Carioca, Rio de Janeiro 20071-004, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rafaella Ferreira-Reis
- Laboratório de Pesquisas sobre o Timo, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (A.D.J.); (R.F.-R.)
| | - Nina Carrossini Bastos
- Divisão de Patologia (DIPAT), Instituto Nacional do Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro 20230-130, RJ, Brazil; (N.C.B.); (P.V.F.)
| | - Priscila Valverde Fernandes
- Divisão de Patologia (DIPAT), Instituto Nacional do Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro 20230-130, RJ, Brazil; (N.C.B.); (P.V.F.)
| | - Ana Carolina Ramos Guimarães
- Laboratório de Genômica Aplicada e Bioinovações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (N.S.d.A.); (A.d.S.M.); (R.d.S.A.); (V.V.J.); (D.A.); (J.B.M.); (T.F.S.); (A.C.R.G.); (W.M.S.D.)
| | - Wim Maurits Sylvain Degrave
- Laboratório de Genômica Aplicada e Bioinovações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (N.S.d.A.); (A.d.S.M.); (R.d.S.A.); (V.V.J.); (D.A.); (J.B.M.); (T.F.S.); (A.C.R.G.); (W.M.S.D.)
| | - Tatiana Martins Tilli
- Laboratório de Fisiopatologia Clínica e Experimental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil;
- Plataforma de Oncologia Translacional, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mariana Caldas Waghabi
- Laboratório de Genômica Aplicada e Bioinovações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (N.S.d.A.); (A.d.S.M.); (R.d.S.A.); (V.V.J.); (D.A.); (J.B.M.); (T.F.S.); (A.C.R.G.); (W.M.S.D.)
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11
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Lu Y, Godbout K, Lamothe G, Tremblay JP. CRISPR-Cas9 delivery strategies with engineered extracellular vesicles. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 34:102040. [PMID: 37842166 PMCID: PMC10571031 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.102040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic genome editing has the potential to cure diseases by directly correcting genetic mutations in tissues and cells. Recent progress in the CRISPR-Cas9 systems has led to breakthroughs in gene editing tools because of its high orthogonality, versatility, and efficiency. However, its safe and effective administration to target organs in patients is a major hurdle. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are endogenous membranous particles secreted spontaneously by all cells. They are key actors in cell-to-cell communication, allowing the exchange of select molecules such as proteins, lipids, and RNAs to induce functional changes in the recipient cells. Recently, EVs have displayed their potential for trafficking the CRISPR-Cas9 system during or after their formation. In this review, we highlight recent developments in EV loading, surface functionalization, and strategies for increasing the efficiency of delivering CRISPR-Cas9 to tissues, organs, and cells for eventual use in gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoyao Lu
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec -Université Laval, Québec city, QC G1V4G2, Canada
| | - Kelly Godbout
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec -Université Laval, Québec city, QC G1V4G2, Canada
| | - Gabriel Lamothe
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec -Université Laval, Québec city, QC G1V4G2, Canada
| | - Jacques P. Tremblay
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec -Université Laval, Québec city, QC G1V4G2, Canada
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12
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Niu B, Wu Y, Zhou M, Lin R, Ge P, Chen X, Zhou H, Zhang X, Xie J. Precise delivery of celastrol by PEGylated aptamer dendrimer nanoconjugates for enormous therapeutic effect via superior intratumor penetration over antibody counterparts. Cancer Lett 2023; 579:216461. [PMID: 37898358 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Antibody-coated nanoparticles have been reported to have the extremely low delivery efficiency in solid tumors in preclinical trials. Though aptamers were considered to be superior over antibodies in cancer theranostics, whether PEGylated aptamer nanoparticles are better than antibody nanoparticles in improving delivery specificity and penetration efficiency of chemotherapeutics is still unknown. Here, we conjugate celastrol, a natural product with anti-tumor effect, onto PEGylated EpCAM aptamer or antibody dendrimers to obtain two nanoconjugates, and for the first time, conduct a comprehensive study to compare their performance in delivery specificity, intratumoral penetration ability and therapeutic outcomes. Our results showed that compared to antibody counterparts, PEGylated aptamer nanoconjugates exhibited the enhanced accumulation and retention specificities at tumor sites and the stronger intratumoral penetration capabilities by reducing the macrophage reservoir effects in solid tumors. When delivered celastrol to a colorectal xenograft tumor mice model by PEGylated aptamer dendrimers, 20 % of enhanced therapeutic efficiency was achieved compared to that by antibody-modified ones. Moreover, celastrol at 2 mg/kg delivered by PEGylated aptamer dendrimers showed the prominent anticancer efficiency (nearly 92 %) but without obvious side effects. These data firstly provide the proof-of-concept implementation that PEGylated aptamer nanoconjugates will display the great potential in the effective and safe cancer treatment with regard to the superiority over antibody ones in penetration abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boning Niu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China; Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yuehuang Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Min Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Ruimiao Lin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Pengjin Ge
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Xiaohui Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Hu Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China.
| | - Xiaokun Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Jingjing Xie
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China.
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13
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Ducrot C, Piffoux M. Combining independent protein and cellular SELEX with bioinformatic analysis may allow high affinity aptamer hit discovery. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 33:254-256. [PMID: 37554514 PMCID: PMC10404489 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Coline Ducrot
- Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Unit, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Hospices civils de Lyon, Bron, France
- Team Cell Death and Pediatric Cancer, Cancer Initiation and Tumor Cell Identity Department, INSERM1052, CNRS5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Max Piffoux
- Medical Oncology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, CITOHL, Lyon, France
- Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
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14
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Xu L, Xie H, Wang B, Zhu Z, Jiang H, Duan X, Deng S, Xu J, Jiang L, Ding X. Multiplex Protein Profiling by Low-Signal-Loss Single-Cell Western Blotting with Fluorescent-Quenching Aptamers. Anal Chem 2023; 95:11399-11409. [PMID: 37458448 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c01577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Single-cell western blotting (scWB) is a prevalent technique for high-resolution protein analysis on low-abundance cell samples. However, the extensive signal loss during repeated antibody stripping precludes multiplex protein detection. Herein, we introduce Fluorescent-quenching Aptamer-based Single-cell Western Blotting (FAS-WB) for multiplex protein detection at single-cell resolution. The minimal size of aptamer probes allows rapid in-gel penetration, diffusion, and elution. Meanwhile, the fluorophore-tagged aptamers, coordinated with complementary quenching strands, avoid the massive signal loss conventionally caused by antibody stripping during repeated staining. Such a strategy also facilitates multiplex protein analysis with a limited number of fluorescent tags. We demonstrated FAS-WB for co-imaging four biomarker proteins (EpCAM, PTK7, HER2, CA125) at single-cell resolution with lower signal loss and enhanced signal-to-noise ratio compared to conventional antibody-based scWB. Being more time-saving (less than 25 min per cycle) and economical (1/1000 cost of conventional antibody probes), FAS-WB offers a highly efficient platform for profiling multiplex proteins at single-cell resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200230, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200230, China
| | - Haiyang Xie
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200230, China
| | - Boqian Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200230, China
| | - Zijian Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200230, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200230, China
| | - Xiaoqian Duan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200230, China
| | - Shuxin Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200230, China
| | - Jiasu Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200230, China
| | - Lai Jiang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200230, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200230, China
| | - Xianting Ding
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200230, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200230, China
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15
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DeRosa M, Lin A, Mallikaratchy P, McConnell E, McKeague M, Patel R, Shigdar S. In vitro selection of aptamers and their applications. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2023; 3:55. [PMID: 37969927 PMCID: PMC10647184 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-023-00247-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
The introduction of the in-vitro evolution method known as SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential enrichment) more than 30 years ago led to the conception of versatile synthetic receptors known as aptamers. Offering many benefits such as low cost, high stability and flexibility, aptamers have sparked innovation in molecular diagnostics, enabled advances in synthetic biology and have facilitated new therapeutic approaches. The SELEX method itself is inherently adaptable and offers near limitless possibilities in yielding functional nucleic acid ligands. This Primer serves to provide guidance on experimental design and highlight new growth areas for this impactful technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.C. DeRosa
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1T2S2
| | - A. Lin
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3A 0B8
| | - P. Mallikaratchy
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, City University of New York School of Medicine, New York, NY 10031, USA
- Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Ph.D. Program in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - E.M. McConnell
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1T2S2
| | - M. McKeague
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3A 0B8
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3G 1Y6
| | - R. Patel
- Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - S. Shigdar
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
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16
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Ivanov KI, Samuilova OV, Zamyatnin AA. The emerging roles of long noncoding RNAs in lymphatic vascular development and disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:197. [PMID: 37407839 PMCID: PMC10322780 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04842-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in RNA sequencing technologies helped uncover what was once uncharted territory in the human genome-the complex and versatile world of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Previously thought of as merely transcriptional "noise", lncRNAs have now emerged as essential regulators of gene expression networks controlling development, homeostasis and disease progression. The regulatory functions of lncRNAs are broad and diverse, and the underlying molecular mechanisms are highly variable, acting at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and post-translational levels. In recent years, evidence has accumulated to support the important role of lncRNAs in the development and functioning of the lymphatic vasculature and associated pathological processes such as tumor-induced lymphangiogenesis and cancer metastasis. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of lncRNAs in regulating the key genes and pathways involved in lymphatic vascular development and disease. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of lncRNAs as novel therapeutic targets and outline possible strategies for the development of lncRNA-based therapeutics to treat diseases of the lymphatic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin I Ivanov
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russian Federation.
- Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Olga V Samuilova
- Department of Biochemistry, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
- HSE University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Andrey A Zamyatnin
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russian Federation
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
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17
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Arese M, Mahmoudian M, Bussolino F. RNA aptamer-mediated gene therapy of prostate cancer: lessons from the past and future directions. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2023; 20:1609-1621. [PMID: 38058168 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2023.2292691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most prevalent cancers in the world, and the fifth cause of death from cancer in men. Among the non-surgical treatments for PCa, gene therapy strategies are in the early stages of development and recent clinical trials have provided new insights suggesting promising future. AREAS COVERED Recently, the creation of targeted gene delivery systems, based on specific PCa cell surface markers, has been viewed as a viable therapeutic approach. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is vastly expressed in nearly all prostate malignancies, and the intensity of expression increases with tumor aggressiveness, androgen independence, and metastasis. RNA aptamers are short and single-stranded oligonucleotides, which selectively bind to a specific ligand on the surface of the cells, which makes them fascinating small molecules for target delivery of therapeutics. PSMA-selective RNA aptamers represent great potential for developing targeted-gene delivery tools for PCa. EXPERT OPINION This review provides a thorough horizon for the researchers interested in developing targeted gene delivery systems for PCa via PSMA RNA aptamers. In addition, we provided general information about different prospects of RNA aptamers including discovery approaches, stability, safety, and pharmacokinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Arese
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Mohammad Mahmoudian
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Federico Bussolino
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
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18
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Wang Y, Xiong Y, Song L, He S, Yao F, Wu Y, Shi K, He L. Spatial Control of Receptor Dimerization Using Programmable DNA Nanobridge. Biomacromolecules 2023. [PMID: 37319440 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Receptor dimerization is an essential mechanism for the activation of most receptor tyrosine kinases by ligands. Thus, regulating the nanoscale spatial distribution of cell surface receptors is significant for studying both intracellular signaling pathways and cellular behavior. However, there are currently very limited methods for exploring the effects of modulating the spatial distribution of receptors on their function by using simple tools. Herein, we developed an aptamer-based double-stranded DNA bridge acting as "DNA nanobridge", which regulates receptor dimerization by changing the number of bases. On this basis, we confirmed that the different nanoscale arrangements of the receptor can influence receptor function and its downstream signals. Among them, the effect gradually changed from helping to activate to inhibiting as the length of DNA nanobridge increased. Hence, it can not only effectively inhibit receptor function and thus affect cellular behavior but also serve as a fine-tuning tool to get the desired signal activity. Our strategy is promising to provide insight into the action of receptors in cell biology from the perspective of spatial distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Wang
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yamin Xiong
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Lulu Song
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Sitian He
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Feng Yao
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yongjun Wu
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Kangqi Shi
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Leiliang He
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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19
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Santana-Viera L, Dassie JP, Rosàs-Lapeña M, Garcia-Monclús S, Chicón-Bosch M, Pérez-Capó M, Pozo LD, Sanchez-Serra S, Almacellas-Rabaiget O, Maqueda-Marcos S, López-Alemany R, Thiel WH, Giangrande PH, Tirado OM. Combination of protein and cell internalization SELEX identifies a potential RNA therapeutic and delivery platform to treat EphA2-expressing tumors. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:758-772. [PMID: 37251690 PMCID: PMC10213179 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase is overexpressed in most solid tumors and acts as the major driver of tumorigenesis. In this study, we developed a novel approach for targeting the EphA2 receptor using a 2'-fluoro-modified pyrimidine RNA aptamer termed ATOP. We identified the ATOP EphA2 aptamer using a novel bioinformatics strategy that compared aptamers enriched during a protein SELEX using recombinant human EphA2 and a cell-internalization SELEX using EphA2-expressing MDA231 tumor cells. When applied to EphA2-expressing tumor cell lines, the ATOP EphA2 aptamer attenuated tumor cell migration and clonogenicity. In a mouse model of spontaneous metastasis, the ATOP EphA2 aptamer slowed primary tumor growth and significantly reduced the number of lung metastases. The EphA2 ATOP aptamer represents a promising candidate for the development of next-generation targeted therapies that provide safer and more effective treatment of EphA2-overexpressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Santana-Viera
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Justin P. Dassie
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, IA 52242, USA
| | - Marta Rosàs-Lapeña
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Garcia-Monclús
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mariona Chicón-Bosch
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marina Pérez-Capó
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lidia del Pozo
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Sanchez-Serra
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Almacellas-Rabaiget
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Maqueda-Marcos
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roser López-Alemany
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - William H. Thiel
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, IA 52242, USA
| | - Paloma H. Giangrande
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, IA 52242, USA
| | - Oscar M. Tirado
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERONC, Carlos III Institute of Health (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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20
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Sanati M, Afshari AR, Ahmadi SS, Kesharwani P, Sahebkar A. Aptamers against cancer drug resistance: Small fighters switching tactics in the face of defeat. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166720. [PMID: 37062453 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Discovering novel cancer therapies has attracted extreme interest in the last decade. In this regard, multidrug resistance (MDR) to chemotherapies is the primary challenge in cancer treatment. Cancerous cells are growingly become resistant to existing chemotherapeutics by employing diverse mechanisms, highlighting the significance of discovering approaches to overcome MDR. One promising strategy is utilizing aptamers as unique tools to target elements or signalings incorporated in resistance mechanisms or develop active targeted drug delivery systems or chimeras enabling the precise delivery of novel agents to inhibit the conventionally undruggable resistance elements. Further, due to their advantages over their proteinaceous counterparts, particularly antibodies, including improved targeting action, enhanced thermal stability, easier production, and superior tumor penetration, aptamers are emerging and have frequently been considered for developing cancer therapeutics. Here, we highlighted significant chemoresistance pathways and thoroughly discussed using aptamers as prospective tools to surmount cancer MDR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Sanati
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran; Experimental and Animal Study Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Amir R Afshari
- Natural Products and Medicinal Plants Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Seyed Sajad Ahmadi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Khatam-Ol-Anbia Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Prashant Kesharwani
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India; Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science, Chennai, India.
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Agnello L, d’Argenio A, Nilo R, Fedele M, Camorani S, Cerchia L. Aptamer-Based Strategies to Boost Immunotherapy in TNBC. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072010. [PMID: 37046670 PMCID: PMC10093095 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune system (IS) may play a crucial role in preventing tumor development and progression, leading, over the last years, to the development of effective cancer immunotherapies. Nevertheless, immune evasion, the capability of tumors to circumvent destructive host immunity, remains one of the main obstacles to overcome for maximizing treatment success. In this context, promising strategies aimed at reshaping the tumor immune microenvironment and promoting antitumor immunity are rapidly emerging. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive breast cancer subtype with poor outcomes, is highly immunogenic, suggesting immunotherapy is a viable strategy. As evidence of this, already, two immunotherapies have recently become the standard of care for patients with PD-L1 expressing tumors, which, however, represent a low percentage of patients, making more active immunotherapeutic approaches necessary. Aptamers are short, highly structured, single-stranded oligonucleotides that bind to their protein targets at high affinity and specificity. They are used for therapeutic purposes in the same way as monoclonal antibodies; thus, various aptamer-based strategies are being actively explored to stimulate the IS’s response against cancer cells. The aim of this review is to discuss the potential of the recently reported aptamer-based approaches to boost the IS to fight TNBC.
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22
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He S, Du Y, Tao H, Duan H. Advances in aptamer-mediated targeted delivery system for cancer treatment. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 238:124173. [PMID: 36965552 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
Aptamers with high affinity and specificity for certain targets have rapidly become a novel class of targeted ligands applicated in drug delivery. Based on the excellent characteristics of aptamers, different aptamer-mediated drug delivery systems have been developed, including aptamer-drug conjugate (ApDC), aptamer-siRNA, and aptamer-functionalized nanoparticle systems for the effective treatment of cancer, which can reduce potential toxicity and improve therapeutic efficacy. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of aptamer-mediated delivery systems in cancer therapy, and discuss the application prospects and existing problems of innovative approaches based on aptamer therapy. Overall, this review aims to better understand the current aptamer-based targeted delivery applications through in-depth analysis to improve efficacy and develop new therapeutic methods which can ultimately improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiming He
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.
| | - Yue Du
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongyu Tao
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Huaiyu Duan
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
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23
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Henri JL, Nakhjavani M, McCoombe S, Shigdar S. Cytotoxic effects of aptamer-doxorubicin conjugates in an ovarian cancer cell line. Biochimie 2023; 204:108-117. [PMID: 36155804 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2022.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite medical advances in treatment strategies over the past 30-years, epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) continues to be defined by poor patient survival rates and aggressive, drug resistant relapse. Traditional approaches to cancer chemotherapy are typically limited by severe off-target effects on healthy tissue and aggressive drug-resistant recurrence. Recent shifts towards targeted therapies offer the possibility of circumventing the obstacles experienced by these treatments. While antibodies are the pioneering agents in such targeted therapies, several intrinsic characteristics of antibodies limits their clinical translation and efficacy. In contrast, oligonucleotide chemical antibodies, known as aptamers, are ideal for this application given their small size and lack of immunogenicity. This study explored the efficacy of a DNA aptamer, designed to target a well-established cancer biomarker, EpCAM, to deliver a chemotherapeutic drug. The results from this study support evidence that EpCAM aptamers can bind to epithelial ovarian cancer; and offers a valid alternative as a targeting ligand with tuneable specificity and sensitivity. It also supports the growing body of evidence that aptamers show great potential for application-specific, post-SELEX engineering through rational modifications. Through in vitro assays, these aptamers demonstrated cytotoxicity in both monolayer and tumoursphere assays, as well as in tumourigenic enriching assays. Further experimentation based on the results achieved in this project might aid in the development of novel cancer therapeutics and guide the novel designs of drugs for targeted drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin L Henri
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
| | - Maryam Nakhjavani
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia; Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
| | - Scott McCoombe
- Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Sarah Shigdar
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia; Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia.
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24
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Chavda VP, Balar PC, Patel SB. Interventional nanotheranostics in hepatocellular carcinoma. Nanotheranostics 2023; 7:128-141. [PMID: 36793354 PMCID: PMC9925354 DOI: 10.7150/ntno.80120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Interventional nanotheranostics is a system of drug delivery that does a dual function; along with the therapeutic action, it also does have diagnostic features. This method helps in early detection, targeted delivery, and the least chances of damage to surrounding tissue. It ensures the highest efficiency for the management of the disease. Imaging is the near future for the quickest and most accurate detection of disease. After combing both effective measures, it ensures the most meticulous drug delivery system. Nanoparticles such as Gold NPs, Carbon NPs, Silicon NPS, etc. The article emphasizes on effect of this delivery system in the treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. It is one of the widely spreading diseases and theranostics is trying to make the scenario better. The review suggests the pitfall of the current system and how theranostics can help. It describes the mechanism used to generate its effect and believes that interventional nanotheranostics do have a future with rainbow color. The article also describes the current hindrance to the flourishing of this miraculous technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek P Chavda
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, L.M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Pankti C Balar
- Pharmacy Section, L.M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Srushti B Patel
- Pharmacy Section, Government Pharmacy College, Gandhinagar, India
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25
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Yin W, Pham CV, Wang T, Al Shamaileh H, Chowdhury R, Patel S, Li Y, Kong L, Hou Y, Zhu Y, Chen S, Xu H, Jia L, Duan W, Xiang D. Inhibition of Autophagy Promotes the Elimination of Liver Cancer Stem Cells by CD133 Aptamer-Targeted Delivery of Doxorubicin. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1623. [PMID: 36358973 PMCID: PMC9687680 DOI: 10.3390/biom12111623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Doxorubicin is the most frequently used chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, one major obstacle to the effective management of liver cancer is the drug resistance derived from the cancer stem cells. Herein, we employed a CD133 aptamer for targeted delivery of doxorubicin into liver cancer stem cells to overcome chemoresistance. Furthermore, we explored the efficacy of autophagy inhibition to sensitize liver cancer stem cells to the treatment of CD133 aptamer-doxorubicin conjugates based on the previous observation that doxorubicin contributes to the survival of liver cancer stem cells by activating autophagy. The kinetics and thermodynamics of aptamer-doxorubicin binding, autophagy induction, cell apoptosis, and self-renewal of liver cancer stem cells were studied using isothermal titration calorimetry, Western blot analysis, annexin V assay, and tumorsphere formation assay. The aptamer-cell binding andintracellular accumulation of doxorubicin were quantified via flow cytometry. CD133 aptamer-guided delivery of doxorubicin resulted in a higher doxorubicin concentration in the liver cancer stem cells. The combinatorial treatment strategy of CD133 aptamer-doxorubicin conjugates and an autophagy inhibitor led to an over 10-fold higher elimination of liver cancer stem cells than that of free doxorubicin in vitro. Future exploration of cancer stem cell-targeted delivery of doxorubicin in conjunction with autophagy inhibition in vivo may well lead to improved outcomes in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Yin
- IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Cuong V. Pham
- IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Tao Wang
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- The College of Nursing and Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Hadi Al Shamaileh
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Rocky Chowdhury
- IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Shweta Patel
- IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Yong Li
- Cancer Care Centre, St George Hospital, Kogarah, and St George and Sutherland Clinical School, University of New South Wales Kensington, Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia
| | - Lingxue Kong
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Yingchu Hou
- Laboratory of Tumor Molecular and Cellular Biology College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, 620 West Chang’an Avenue, Xi’an 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
| | - Sunrui Chen
- Shanghai OneTar Biomedicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Huo Xu
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Lee Jia
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Wei Duan
- IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Dongxi Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai 200127, China
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biliary Tract Disease Research, Shanghai 200092, China
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26
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Song H, Chen X, Hao Y, Wang J, Xie Q, Wang X. Nanoengineering facilitating the target mission: targeted extracellular vesicles delivery systems design. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:431. [PMID: 36175866 PMCID: PMC9524104 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01638-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Precision medicine has put forward the proposition of "precision targeting" for modern drug delivery systems. Inspired by techniques from biology, pharmaceutical sciences, and nanoengineering, numerous targeted drug delivery systems have been developed in recent decades. But the large-scale applications of these systems are limited due to unsatisfactory targeting efficiency, cytotoxicity, easy removability, and instability. As such, the natural endogenous cargo delivery vehicle-extracellular vesicles (EVs)-have sparked significant interest for its unique inherent targeting properties, biocompatibility, transmembrane ability, and circulatory stability. The membranes of EVs are enriched for receptors or ligands that interact with target cells, which endows them with inherent targeting mission. However, most of the natural therapeutic EVs face the fate of being cleared by macrophages, resulting in off-target. Therefore, the specificity of natural EVs delivery systems urgently needs to be further improved. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the inherent homing mechanisms of EVs and the effects of the donor cell source and administration route on targeting specificity. We then go over nanoengineering techniques that modify EVs for improving specific targeting, such as source cell alteration and modification of EVs surface. We also highlight the auxiliary strategies to enhance specificity by changing the external environment, such as magnetic and photothermal. Furthermore, contemporary issues such as the lack of a gold standard for assessing targeting efficiency are discussed. This review will provide new insights into the development of precision medicine delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyue Song
- Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, 030001, China.,Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Xiaohang Chen
- Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, 030001, China.,Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Yujia Hao
- Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, 030001, China.,Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, 030001, China.,Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Qingpeng Xie
- Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, 030001, China.,Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Xing Wang
- Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, 030001, China. .,Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, Taiyuan, 030001, China.
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27
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Bioimaging Nucleic-Acid Aptamers with Different Specificities in Human Glioblastoma Tissues Highlights Tumoral Heterogeneity. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14101980. [PMID: 36297416 PMCID: PMC9609998 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14101980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleic-acid aptamers are of strong interest for diagnosis and therapy. Compared with antibodies, they are smaller, stable upon variations in temperature, easy to modify, and have higher tissue-penetration abilities. However, they have been little described as detection probes in histology studies of human tissue sections. In this study, we performed fluorescence imaging with two aptamers targeting cell-surface receptors EGFR and integrin α5β1, both involved in the aggressiveness of glioblastoma. The aptamers’ cell-binding specificities were confirmed using confocal imaging. The affinities of aptamers for glioblastoma cells expressing these receptors were in the 100–300 nM range. The two aptamers were then used to detect EGFR and integrin α5β1 in human glioblastoma tissues and compared with antibody labeling. Our aptafluorescence assays proved to be able to very easily reveal, in a one-step process, not only inter-tumoral glioblastoma heterogeneity (differences observed at the population level) but also intra-tumoral heterogeneity (differences among cells within individual tumors) when aptamers with different specificities were used simultaneously in multiplexing labeling experiments. The discussion also addresses the strengths and limitations of nucleic-acid aptamers for biomarker detection in histology.
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Chen Y, Yang Y, Feng J, Carrier AJ, Tyagi D, Yu X, Wang C, Oakes KD, Zhang X. A universal monoclonal antibody-aptamer conjugation strategy for selective non-invasive bioparticle isolation from blood on a regenerative microfluidic platform. Acta Biomater 2022; 152:210-220. [PMID: 36087870 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Simultaneous isolation of various circulating tumor cell (CTC) subtypes from whole blood is useful in cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Microfluidic affinity separation devices are promising for CTC separation because of their high throughput capacity and automatability. However, current affinity agents, such as antibodies (mAbs) and aptamers (Apts) alone, are still suboptimal for efficient, consistent, and versatile cell analysis. By introducing a hybrid affinity agent, i.e., an aptamer-antibody (Apt-mAb) conjugate, we developed a universal and regenerative microchip with high efficiency and non-invasiveness in the separation and profiling of various CTCs from blood. The Apt-mAb conjugate consists of a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds the target cell receptor and a surface-bound aptamer that recognizes the conserved Fc region of the mAb. The aptamer then indirectly links the surface functionalization of the microfluidic channels to the mAbs. This hybrid affinity agent and the microchip platform may be widely useful for various bio-particle separations in different biological matrices. Further, the regeneration capability of the microchip improves data consistency between multiple uses and minimizes plastic waste while promoting environmental sustainability. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: A hybrid affinity agent, Apt-mAb, consisting of a universal aptamer (Apt) that binds the conserved Fc region of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) was developed. The invented nano-biomaterial combines the strengths and overcomes the weakness of both Apts and mAbs, thus changing the paradigm of affinity separation of cell subtypes. When Apt-mAb was used to fabricate microfluidic chips using a "universal screwdriver" approach, the microchip could be easily tuned to bind any cell type, exhibiting great universality. Besides high sensitivity and selectivity, the superior regenerative capacity of the microchips makes them reusable, which provides improved consistency and repeatability in cell profiling and opens a new approach towards in vitro diagnostic point-of-care testing devices with environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongli Chen
- Department of Biological Applied Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fermentation Purification and Analysis, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yikun Yang
- National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518116, China.
| | - Jinglong Feng
- Department of Biological Applied Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fermentation Purification and Analysis, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Andrew J Carrier
- Department of Chemistry, Cape Breton University, 1250 Grand Lake Road, Sydney, Nova Scotia, B1P 6L2, Canada
| | - Deependra Tyagi
- Department of Chemistry, Cape Breton University, 1250 Grand Lake Road, Sydney, Nova Scotia, B1P 6L2, Canada
| | - Xin Yu
- National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518116, China
| | - Chunguang Wang
- National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518116, China
| | - Ken D Oakes
- Department of Biology, Cape Breton University, 1250 Grand Lake Road, Sydney, Nova Scotia, B1P 6L2, Canada
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Cape Breton University, 1250 Grand Lake Road, Sydney, Nova Scotia, B1P 6L2, Canada.
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Barzaman K, Vafaei R, Samadi M, Kazemi MH, Hosseinzadeh A, Merikhian P, Moradi-Kalbolandi S, Eisavand MR, Dinvari H, Farahmand L. Anti-cancer therapeutic strategies based on HGF/MET, EpCAM, and tumor-stromal cross talk. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:259. [PMID: 35986321 PMCID: PMC9389806 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02658-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
As an intelligent disease, tumors apply several pathways to evade the immune system. It can use alternative routes to bypass intracellular signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Wnt, and mitogen-activated protein (MAP)/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Therefore, these mechanisms lead to therapeutic resistance in cancer. Also, these pathways play important roles in the proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion of cells. In most cancers, these signaling pathways are overactivated, caused by mutation, overexpression, etc. Since numerous molecules share these signaling pathways, the identification of key molecules is crucial to achieve favorable consequences in cancer therapy. One of the key molecules is the mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET; c-Met) and its ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Another molecule is the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), which its binding is hemophilic. Although both of them are involved in many physiologic processes (especially in embryonic stages), in some cancers, they are overexpressed on epithelial cells. Since they share intracellular pathways, targeting them simultaneously may inhibit substitute pathways that tumor uses to evade the immune system and resistant to therapeutic agents.
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30
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Cruz-Hernández CD, Rodríguez-Martínez G, Cortés-Ramírez SA, Morales-Pacheco M, Cruz-Burgos M, Losada-García A, Reyes-Grajeda JP, González-Ramírez I, González-Covarrubias V, Camacho-Arroyo I, Cerbón M, Rodríguez-Dorantes M. Aptamers as Theragnostic Tools in Prostate Cancer. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12081056. [PMID: 36008950 PMCID: PMC9406110 DOI: 10.3390/biom12081056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite of the capacity that several drugs have for specific inhibition of the androgen receptor (AR), in most cases, PCa progresses to an androgen-independent stage. In this context, the development of new targeted therapies for prostate cancer (PCa) has remained as a challenge. To overcome this issue, new tools, based on nucleic acids technology, have been developed. Aptamers are small oligonucleotides with a three-dimensional structure capable of interacting with practically any desired target, even large targets such as mammalian cells or viruses. Recently, aptamers have been studied for treatment and detection of many diseases including cancer. In PCa, numerous works have reported their use in the development of new approaches in diagnostics and treatment strategies. Aptamers have been joined with drugs or other specific molecules such as silencing RNAs (aptamer–siRNA chimeras) to specifically reduce the expression of oncogenes in PCa cells. Even though these studies have shown good results in the early stages, more research is still needed to demonstrate the clinical value of aptamers in PCa. The aim of this review was to compile the existing scientific literature regarding the use of aptamers in PCa in both diagnosis and treatment studies. Since Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) aptamers are the most studied type of aptamers in this field, special emphasis was given to these aptamers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos David Cruz-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Oncogenómica, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), Mexico City 14610, Mexico; (C.D.C.-H.); (G.R.-M.); (S.A.C.-R.); (M.M.-P.); (M.C.-B.); (A.L.-G.)
| | - Griselda Rodríguez-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Oncogenómica, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), Mexico City 14610, Mexico; (C.D.C.-H.); (G.R.-M.); (S.A.C.-R.); (M.M.-P.); (M.C.-B.); (A.L.-G.)
| | - Sergio A. Cortés-Ramírez
- Laboratorio de Oncogenómica, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), Mexico City 14610, Mexico; (C.D.C.-H.); (G.R.-M.); (S.A.C.-R.); (M.M.-P.); (M.C.-B.); (A.L.-G.)
| | - Miguel Morales-Pacheco
- Laboratorio de Oncogenómica, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), Mexico City 14610, Mexico; (C.D.C.-H.); (G.R.-M.); (S.A.C.-R.); (M.M.-P.); (M.C.-B.); (A.L.-G.)
| | - Marian Cruz-Burgos
- Laboratorio de Oncogenómica, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), Mexico City 14610, Mexico; (C.D.C.-H.); (G.R.-M.); (S.A.C.-R.); (M.M.-P.); (M.C.-B.); (A.L.-G.)
| | - Alberto Losada-García
- Laboratorio de Oncogenómica, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), Mexico City 14610, Mexico; (C.D.C.-H.); (G.R.-M.); (S.A.C.-R.); (M.M.-P.); (M.C.-B.); (A.L.-G.)
| | - Juan Pablo Reyes-Grajeda
- Laboratorio de Estructura de Proteínas, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), Mexico City 14610, Mexico;
| | - Imelda González-Ramírez
- Departamento de Atención a la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana–Xochimilco, Mexico City 04960, Mexico;
| | | | - Ignacio Camacho-Arroyo
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (I.C.-A.); (M.C.)
| | - Marco Cerbón
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (I.C.-A.); (M.C.)
| | - Mauricio Rodríguez-Dorantes
- Laboratorio de Oncogenómica, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), Mexico City 14610, Mexico; (C.D.C.-H.); (G.R.-M.); (S.A.C.-R.); (M.M.-P.); (M.C.-B.); (A.L.-G.)
- Correspondence:
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Aptamer–Gemcitabine Conjugates with Enzymatically Cleavable Linker for Targeted Delivery and Intracellular Drug Release in Cancer Cells. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15050558. [PMID: 35631384 PMCID: PMC9147807 DOI: 10.3390/ph15050558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gemcitabine is a chemotherapeutic used clinically to treat a variety of cancers. However, because it lacks tumor cell specificity, gemcitabine may cause off-target cytotoxicity and adversely impact patients. To impart cancer cell specificity to gemcitabine and improve its therapeutic efficacy, we synthesized a unique aptamer–drug conjugate that carries a high gemcitabine payload (three molecules) via a dendrimer structure and enzymatically cleavable linkers for controlled intracellular drug release. First, linker–gemcitabinedendrimer–linker–gemcitabine products were produced, which had significantly lower cytotoxicity than an equimolar amount of free drug. Biochemical analysis revealed that lysosomal cathepsin B protease rapidly cleaved the dendritic linkers and released the conjugated gemcitabine as a free drug. Subsequently, the dendrimer–linker–gemcitabine was coupled with a cell-specific aptamer to form aptamer–gemcitabine conjugates. Functional assays confirmed that, under aptamer guidance, aptamer–gemcitabine conjugates were selectively bound to and then internalized by triple-negative breast cancer cells. Cellular therapy studies indicated that the aptamer–gemcitabine conjugates potentiated cytotoxic activity to targeted cancer cells but did not affect off-target control cells. Our study demonstrates a novel approach to aptamer-mediated targeted drug delivery that combines a high drug payload and an enzymatically controlled drug release switch to achieve higher therapeutic efficacy and fewer off-target effects relative to free-drug chemotherapy.
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Ladju RB, Ulhaq ZS, Soraya GV. Nanotheranostics: A powerful next-generation solution to tackle hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2022; 28:176-187. [PMID: 35110943 PMCID: PMC8776531 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i2.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an epidemic burden and remains highly prevalent worldwide. The significant mortality rates of HCC are largely due to the tendency of late diagnosis and the multifaceted, complex nature of treatment. Meanwhile, current therapeutic modalities such as liver resection and transplantation are only effective for resolving early-stage HCC. Hence, alternative approaches are required to improve detection and enhance the efficacy of current treatment options. Nanotheranostic platforms, which utilize biocompatible nanoparticles to perform both diagnostics and targeted delivery, has been considered a potential approach for cancer management in the past few decades. Advancement of nanomaterials and biomedical engineering techniques has led to rapid expansion of the nanotheranostics field, allowing for more sensitive and specific diagnosis, real-time monitoring of drug delivery, and enhanced treatment efficacies across various malignancies. The focus of this review is on the applications of nanotheranostics for HCC. The review first explores the current epidemiology and the commonly encountered obstacles in HCC diagnosis and treatment. It then presents the current technological and functional advancements in nanotheranostic technology for cancer in general, and then specifically explores the use of nanotheranostic modalities as a promising option to address the key challenges present in HCC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rusdina Bte Ladju
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar 90245, Indonesia
| | - Zulvikar Syambani Ulhaq
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Maulana Malik Ibrahim Islamic State University, Malang 65151, Indonesia
- National Research and Innovation Agency, Central Jakarta 10340, Indonesia
| | - Gita Vita Soraya
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar 90245, Indonesia
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar 90245, Indonesia
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Malatji K, Fru PN, Mufhandu H, Alexandre K. Synthesis of fluorescence labelled aptamers for use as low-cost reagents in HIV/AIDS research and diagnostics. Biomed Rep 2021; 16:8. [PMID: 34938537 PMCID: PMC8686199 DOI: 10.3892/br.2021.1491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are nucleic acids selected by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment. They have potential as alternatives to antibodies in medical research and diagnostics, with the advantages of being non-immunogenic and relatively inexpensive to produce. In the present study, gp120 aptamers conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) were generated, which could interact with HIV-1 gp120. A previously isolated gp120 aptamer, CSIR 1.1, was conjugated with FITC by incubation with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide and imidazole. The conjugation and binding to the glycoprotein were confirmed by flow cytometry. FITC conjugated aptamers showed an increase in fluorescence emission 24-fold higher than baseline, and this difference was statistically significant (P=0.0016). Compared with a commercially available biotinylated anti-gp120 antibody, detected using FITC conjugated streptavidin, the emission of fluorescence obtained from the FITC-conjugated aptamer was 8-fold higher, suggesting a stronger interaction with gp120. In addition, the FITC conjugated aptamer neutralized HIV-1 pseudoviruses with an average IC50 of 21.3 nM, similar to the parent aptamer that had an IC50 of 19.2 nM. However, the difference in inhibition between the two aptamers was not statistically significant (P=0.784). These results indicate that the FITC-conjugated aptamer generated in the present study could potentially be used as a low-cost reagent in HIV/AIDS research and diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanyane Malatji
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Emerging Research Area Platform, Next Generation Health Cluster, Pretoria, Gauteng 0001, South Africa.,Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Pascaline N Fru
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Hazel Mufhandu
- Department of Microbiology, North West University, School of Biological Sciences, Mmabatho, North West 2735, South Africa
| | - Kabamba Alexandre
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Emerging Research Area Platform, Next Generation Health Cluster, Pretoria, Gauteng 0001, South Africa
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Shigdar S, Agnello L, Fedele M, Camorani S, Cerchia L. Profiling Cancer Cells by Cell-SELEX: Use of Aptamers for Discovery of Actionable Biomarkers and Therapeutic Applications Thereof. Pharmaceutics 2021; 14:28. [PMID: 35056924 PMCID: PMC8781458 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of tumor cell-specific surface markers is a key step towards personalized cancer medicine, allowing early assessment and accurate diagnosis, and development of efficacious targeted therapies. Despite significant efforts, currently the spectrum of cell membrane targets associated with approved treatments is still limited, causing an inability to treat a large number of cancers. What mainly limits the number of ideal clinical biomarkers is the high complexity and heterogeneity of several human cancers and still-limited methods for molecular profiling of specific cancer types. Thanks to the simplicity, versatility and effectiveness of its application, cell-SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment) technology is a valid complement to the present strategies for biomarkers' discovery. We and other researchers worldwide are attempting to apply cell-SELEX to the generation of oligonucleotide aptamers as tools for both identifying new cancer biomarkers and targeting them by innovative therapeutic strategies. In this review, we discuss the potential of cell-SELEX for increasing the currently limited repertoire of actionable cancer cell-surface biomarkers and focus on the use of the selected aptamers as components of innovative conjugates and nano-formulations for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Shigdar
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia;
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia
| | - Lisa Agnello
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology “Gaetano Salvatore”, CNR, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.A.); (M.F.); (S.C.)
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, S. Andrea Delle Dame-Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Fedele
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology “Gaetano Salvatore”, CNR, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.A.); (M.F.); (S.C.)
| | - Simona Camorani
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology “Gaetano Salvatore”, CNR, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.A.); (M.F.); (S.C.)
| | - Laura Cerchia
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology “Gaetano Salvatore”, CNR, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.A.); (M.F.); (S.C.)
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Yang C, Jiang Y, Hao SH, Yan XY, Hong DF, Naranmandura H. Aptamers: an emerging navigation tool of therapeutic agents for targeted cancer therapy. J Mater Chem B 2021; 10:20-33. [PMID: 34881767 DOI: 10.1039/d1tb02098f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chemotherapeutic agents have been used for the treatment of numerous cancers, but due to poor selectivity and severe systemic side effects, their clinical application is limited. Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or RNA aptamers could conjugate with highly toxic chemotherapy drugs, toxins, therapeutic RNAs or other molecules as novel aptamer-drug conjugates (ApDCs), which are capable of significantly improving the therapeutic efficacy and reducing the systemic toxicity of drugs and have great potential in clinics for targeted cancer therapy. In this review, we have comprehensively discussed and summarized the current advances in the screening approaches of aptamers for specific cancer biomarker targeting and development of the aptamer-drug conjugate strategy for targeted drug delivery. Moreover, considering the huge progress in artificial intelligence (AI) for protein and RNA structure predictions, automatic design of aptamers using deep/machine learning techniques could be a powerful approach for rapid and precise construction of biopharmaceutics (i.e., ApDCs) for application in cancer targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Yang
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. .,Department of Toxicology, School of Medicine and Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Jiang
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. .,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sai Heng Hao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Xing Yi Yan
- Department of Toxicology, School of Medicine and Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - De Fei Hong
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Hua Naranmandura
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. .,Department of Toxicology, School of Medicine and Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, China
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Aptamer-mediated doxorubicin delivery reduces HCC burden in 3D organoids model. J Control Release 2021; 341:341-350. [PMID: 34848243 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a surface marker which is frequently overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but minimally expressed on mature hepatocytes. We developed a specific aptamer against EpCAM (EpCAM-apt) and tested its potential as a drug delivery agent for HCC. The targeting ability of EpCAM-apt was confirmed in vitro and in vivo after which the complex was conjugated with doxorubicin (Dox) to form EpCAM-apt-Dox. The targeting efficacy of the drug-loaded complex against liver cancer stem-like cells (LCSCs) and therapeutic effects in HCC were evaluated. EpCAM-expressing (EpCAM+) HCC cells showed characteristics of stem like cells including greater proliferative capacity and tumour sphere formation. EpCAM-apt-Dox selectively delivered Dox to EpCAM+ HCC cells with high drug retention and accumulation versus control. EpCAM-apt-Dox reduced the self-renewal capacity and stem-like cell frequency in vitro. Elimination of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) with EpCAM-apt-Dox significantly inhibited the growth of HCC cells and patient-derived HCC organoids but exerted minimal cytotoxicity to normal liver organoids. Moreover, EpCAM-apt-Dox suppressed the growth of xenograft tumours derived from HCC organoids in vivo and prolonged mouse survival without inducing adverse effects to major organs. Thus, aptamer-based drug delivery to the stem-like cell population is a promising strategy for HCC treatment.
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Tracey SR, Smyth P, Barelle CJ, Scott CJ. Development of next generation nanomedicine-based approaches for the treatment of cancer: we've barely scratched the surface. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:2253-2269. [PMID: 34709394 PMCID: PMC8589425 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Interest in nanomedicines has grown rapidly over the past two decades, owing to the promising therapeutic applications they may provide, particularly for the treatment of cancer. Personalised medicine and 'smart' actively targeted nanoparticles represent an opportunity to deliver therapies directly to cancer cells and provide sustained drug release, in turn providing overall lower off-target toxicity and increased therapeutic efficacy. However, the successful translation of nanomedicines from encouraging pre-clinical findings to the clinic has, to date, proven arduous. In this review, we will discuss the use of nanomedicines for the treatment of cancer, with a specific focus on the use of polymeric and lipid nanoparticle delivery systems. In particular, we examine approaches exploring the surface functionalisation of nanomedicines to elicit active targeting and therapeutic effects as well as challenges and future directions for nanoparticles in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon R. Tracey
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7AE, U.K
| | - Peter Smyth
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7AE, U.K
| | - Caroline J. Barelle
- Elasmogen Ltd, Liberty Building, Foresterhill Health Campus, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, U.K
| | - Christopher J. Scott
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7AE, U.K
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38
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Identification and Engineering of Aptamers for Theranostic Application in Human Health and Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189661. [PMID: 34575825 PMCID: PMC8469434 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
An aptamer is a short sequence of synthetic oligonucleotides which bind to their cognate target, specifically while maintaining similar or higher sensitivity compared to an antibody. The in-vitro selection of an aptamer, applying a conjoining approach of chemistry and molecular biology, is referred as Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential enrichment (SELEX). These initial products of SELEX are further modified chemically in an attempt to make them stable in biofluid, avoiding nuclease digestion and renal clearance. While the modification is incorporated, enough care should be taken to maintain its sensitivity and specificity. These modifications and several improvisations have widened the window frame of aptamer applications that are currently not only restricted to in-vitro systems, but have also been used in molecular imaging for disease pathology and treatment. In the food industry, it has been used as sensor for detection of different diseases and fungal infections. In this review, we have discussed a brief history of its journey, along with applications where its role as a therapeutic plus diagnostic (theranostic) tool has been demonstrated. We have also highlighted the potential aptamer-mediated strategies for molecular targeting of COVID-19. Finally, the review focused on its future prospective in immunotherapy, as well as in identification of novel biomarkers in stem cells and also in single cell proteomics (scProteomics) to study intra or inter-tumor heterogeneity at the protein level. Small size, chemical synthesis, low batch variation, cost effectiveness, long shelf life and low immunogenicity provide advantages to the aptamer over the antibody. These physical and chemical properties of aptamers render them as a strong biomedical tool for theranostic purposes over the existing ones. The significance of aptamers in human health was the key finding of this review.
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Application of smart nanoparticles as a potential platform for effective colorectal cancer therapy. Coord Chem Rev 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2021.213949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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40
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Dehghani S, Alibolandi M, Tehranizadeh ZA, Oskuee RK, Nosrati R, Soltani F, Ramezani M. Self-assembly of an aptamer-decorated chimeric peptide nanocarrier for targeted cancer gene delivery. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2021; 208:112047. [PMID: 34418722 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2021.112047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we developed a peptide-based non-viral carrier decorated with aptamer to overcome the specific gene delivery barriers. The carrier (KLN/Apt) was designed to contain multiple functional segments, including 1) two tandem repeating units of low molecular weight protamine (LMWP) to condense DNA into stable nanosize particles and protect it from enzymatic digestion, 2) AS1411 aptamer as targeting moiety to target nucleolin and promote carrier internalization, 3) a synthetic pH-sensitive fusogenic peptide (KALA) for disrupting endosomal membranes and enhancing cytosol escape of the nanoparticles, and 4) a nuclear localization signal (NLS) for active cytoplasmic trafficking and nuclear delivery of DNA. The obtained results revealed the developed carrier capacity in terms of specific cell targeting, overcoming cellular gene delivery barriers, and mediating efficient gene transfection. The KLN/pDNA/aptamer nanoparticles offer remarkable potential for the conceptual design and formation of promising multi-functionalized carriers towards the most demanding therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadegh Dehghani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mona Alibolandi
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Zeinab Amiri Tehranizadeh
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Reza Kazemi Oskuee
- Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Rahim Nosrati
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Cellular and Molecular Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Soltani
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Ramezani
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Behrooz AB, Vazifehmand R, Tajudin AA, Masarudin MJ, Sekawi Z, Masomian M, Syahir A. Tailoring drug co-delivery nanosystem for mitigating U-87 stem cells drug resistance. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2021; 12:1253-1269. [PMID: 34405338 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-021-01017-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most prevalent form of brain tumor, which generally has a poor prognosis. According to consensus, recurrence of the tumor and chemotherapy resistance acquisition are the two distinguishing features of GBM originated from glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). To eliminate these obstacles inherent in GBM chemotherapy, targeting GSCs through a smart drug delivery system has come to the front position of GBM therapeutics. In this study, B19 aptamer (Apt)-conjugated polyamidoamine (PAMAM) G4C12 dendrimer nanoparticles (NPs), called Apt-NPs, were formulated for the co-delivery of paclitaxel (PTX) and temozolomide (TMZ) to U-87 stem cells. These drugs were loaded using a double emulsification solvent evaporation method. As a result, drug-loaded Apt-NPs significantly inhibited the tumor growth of U-87 stem cells, by the initiation of apoptosis via the downregulation of autophagic and multidrug resistance (MDR) genes. Additionally, by their downregulation by qPCR of CD133, CD44, SOX2, and the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway, cell proliferation has substantially decreased. Altogether, the results demonstrate that this intelligent drug co-delivery system is capable of effectively transferring PTX and TMZ to U-87 stem cells and without any toxic effect on Apt-NPs alone to U-87 stem cells. Furthermore, the designed dendrimer-based pharmaceutical system along with single-stranded B19 aptamer might be utilized as a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of U-87 stem cells drug resistance in the GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Barzegar Behrooz
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Reza Vazifehmand
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Human Genetic, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Asilah Ahmad Tajudin
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mas Jaffri Masarudin
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Zamberi Sekawi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Malihe Masomian
- Centre of Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Science, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Amir Syahir
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. .,MAKNA Cancer Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Varty K, O’Brien C, Ignaszak A. Breast Cancer Aptamers: Current Sensing Targets, Available Aptamers, and Their Evaluation for Clinical Use in Diagnostics. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13163984. [PMID: 34439139 PMCID: PMC8391819 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13163984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women worldwide, and the rate of diagnosis continues to increase. Early detection and targeted treatment towards histological type is crucial to improving outcomes, but current screening methods leave some patients at risk of late diagnosis. The risk of late diagnosis and progressed disease is of particular concern for young women as current screening methods are not recommended early in life. Aptamers are oligonucleotides that can bind with high specificity to target molecules such as proteins, peptides, and other small molecules. They are relatively cheap to produce and are invariable from batch to batch, making them ideal for use in large-scale clinical or screening programs. The use of aptamers for breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and therapeutics is promising, but comparison of these aptamers and their corresponding biomarkers for use in breast cancer is significantly lacking. Here, we compare the currently available aptamers for breast cancer biomarkers and their respective biomarkers, as well as highlight the electrochemical sensors that are in development.
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Shigdar S, Schrand B, Giangrande PH, de Franciscis V. Aptamers: Cutting edge of cancer therapies. Mol Ther 2021; 29:2396-2411. [PMID: 34146729 PMCID: PMC8353241 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of an aptamer-based therapeutic has rapidly progressed following the first two reports in the 1990s, underscoring the advantages of aptamer drugs associated with their unique binding properties. In 2004, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first therapeutic aptamer for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration, Macugen developed by NeXstar. Since then, eleven aptamers have successfully entered clinical trials for various therapeutic indications. Despite some of the pre-clinical and clinical successes of aptamers as therapeutics, no aptamer has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of cancer. This review highlights the most recent and cutting-edge approaches in the development of aptamers for the treatment of cancer types most refractory to conventional therapies. Herein, we will review (1) the development of aptamers to enhance anti-cancer immunity and as delivery tools for inducing the expression of immunogenic neoantigens; (2) the development of the most promising therapeutic aptamers designed to target the hard-to-treat cancers such as brain tumors; and (3) the development of "carrier" aptamers able to target and penetrate tumors and metastasis, delivering RNA therapeutics to the cytosol and nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Shigdar
- School of Medicine and Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Brett Schrand
- TCR(2) Therapeutics, Inc., 100 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Paloma H Giangrande
- Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; VP Platform Discovery Sciences, Biology, Wave Life Sciences, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Vittorio de Franciscis
- Institute of Genetic and Biomedical Research (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Milan, Italy; Initiative for RNA Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Hybrid-Type SELEX for the Selection of Artificial Nucleic Acid Aptamers Exhibiting Cell Internalization Activity. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13060888. [PMID: 34204006 PMCID: PMC8232673 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13060888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid aptamers have attracted considerable attention as next-generation pharmaceutical agents and delivery vehicles for small molecule drugs and therapeutic oligonucleotides. Chemical modification is an effective approach for improving the functionality of aptamers. However, the process of selecting appropriately modified aptamers is laborious because of many possible modification patterns. Here, we describe a hybrid-type systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) approach for the generation of the artificial nucleic acid aptamers effective against human TROP2, a cell surface protein identified by drug discovery as a promising target for cancer therapy. Capillary electrophoresis SELEX was used for the pre-screening of multiple modified nucleic acid libraries and enrichment of TROP2 binding aptamers in the first step, followed by functional screening using cell-SELEX in the second step for the generation of cell-internalizing aptamers. One representative aptamer, Tac-B1, had a nanomolar-level affinity to human TROP2 and exhibited elevated capacity for internalization by cells. Because of the growing interest in the application of aptamers for drug delivery, our hybrid selection approach has great potential for the generation of functional artificial nucleic acid aptamers with ideal modification patterns in vitro.
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Şener BB, Yiğit D, Bayraç AT, Bayraç C. Inhibition of cell migration and invasion by ICAM-1 binding DNA aptamers. Anal Biochem 2021; 628:114262. [PMID: 34038704 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2021.114262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide and most of the cancer-related deaths result from metastasis. As expressed on the surface of various cancer cell types, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) has been shown to play a role in the attachment, invasion and migration of tumor cells. In this study, DNA aptamers were generated against ICAM-1 by cell-SELEX and protein SELEX method using ICAM-1(+) CHO-ICAM-1 cells and ICAM-1 protein, respectively. The pools obtained at the end of the 10th round of both SELEX were sequenced and the most enriched sequences were characterized for their binding behaviors and affinities to ICAM-1(+) CHO-ICAM-1 and ICAM-1(-) MIA PaCa-2 cells. Moreover, the inhibition abilities of sequences on migration and invasion were measured. The seven aptamer sequences were obtained selectively binding to CHO-ICAM-1 cells with Kd values in the ranging from 13.8 to 47.1 nM. Four of these aptamers showed inhibition in both migration and invasion of CHO-ICAM-1 cells at least 61%. All these results suggested that these aptamers have potential to detect specifically ICAM-1 expressing tumor cells and inhibit migration and invasion by blocking ICAM-1 related interactions of circulating tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berke Bilgenur Şener
- Department of Bioengineering, Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University, Karaman, Turkey.
| | - Deniz Yiğit
- Department of Bioengineering, Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University, Karaman, Turkey
| | | | - Ceren Bayraç
- Department of Bioengineering, Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University, Karaman, Turkey
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Bashir A, Yang Q, Wang J, Hoyer S, Chou W, McLean C, Davis G, Gong Q, Armstrong Z, Jang J, Kang H, Pawlosky A, Scott A, Dahl GE, Berndl M, Dimon M, Ferguson BS. Machine learning guided aptamer refinement and discovery. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2366. [PMID: 33888692 PMCID: PMC8062585 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22555-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are single-stranded nucleic acid ligands that bind to target molecules with high affinity and specificity. They are typically discovered by searching large libraries for sequences with desirable binding properties. These libraries, however, are practically constrained to a fraction of the theoretical sequence space. Machine learning provides an opportunity to intelligently navigate this space to identify high-performing aptamers. Here, we propose an approach that employs particle display (PD) to partition a library of aptamers by affinity, and uses such data to train machine learning models to predict affinity in silico. Our model predicted high-affinity DNA aptamers from experimental candidates at a rate 11-fold higher than random perturbation and generated novel, high-affinity aptamers at a greater rate than observed by PD alone. Our approach also facilitated the design of truncated aptamers 70% shorter and with higher binding affinity (1.5 nM) than the best experimental candidate. This work demonstrates how combining machine learning and physical approaches can be used to expedite the discovery of better diagnostic and therapeutic agents. Current aptamer discovery approaches are unable to probe the complete space of possible sequences. Here, the authors use machine learning to facilitate the development of DNA aptamers with improved binding affinities, and truncate them without significantly compromising binding affinity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Qin Yang
- Aptitude Medical Systems Inc., Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Jinpeng Wang
- Aptitude Medical Systems Inc., Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | | | - Wenchuan Chou
- Aptitude Medical Systems Inc., Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Qiang Gong
- Aptitude Medical Systems Inc., Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | | | - Junghoon Jang
- Aptitude Medical Systems Inc., Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Hui Kang
- Aptitude Medical Systems Inc., Santa Barbara, CA, USA
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Ștefan G, Hosu O, De Wael K, Lobo-Castañón MJ, Cristea C. Aptamers in biomedicine: Selection strategies and recent advances. Electrochim Acta 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.137994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Emrani S, Lamar M, Price CC, Baliga S, Wasserman V, Matusz E, Swenson R, Baliga G, Libon DJ. Assessing the capacity for mental manipulation in patients with statically-determined mild cognitive impairment using digital technology. EXPLORATION OF MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.37349/emed.2021.00034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims: Prior research employing a standard backward digit span test has been successful in operationally defining neurocognitive constructs associated with the Fuster’s model of executive attention. The current research sought to test if similar behavior could be obtained using a cross-modal mental manipulation test.
Methods: Memory clinic patients were studied. Using Jak-Bondi criteria, 24 patients were classified with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 33 memory clinic patients did not meet criteria for MCI (i.e. non-MCI). All patients were assessed with the digital version of the WRAML-2 Symbolic Working Memory Test-Part 1, a cross-modal mental manipulation task where patients hear digits, but respond by touching digits from lowest to highest on an answer key. Only 4 and 5-span trials were analyzed. Using an iPad, all test stimuli were played; and, all responses were obtained with a touch key. Only correct trials were analyzed. Average time to complete trials and latency for each digit was recorded.
Results: Groups did not differ when average time to complete 4-span trials was calculated. MCI patients displayed slower latency, or required more time to re-order the 1st and 3rd digits. Regression analyses, primarily involving initial and latter response latencies, were associated with better, but different underlying neuropsychological abilities. Almost no 5-span analyses were significant.
Conclusions: This cross-modal test paradigm found no difference for total average time. MCI patients generated slower 1st and 3rd response latency, suggesting differences in time allocation to achieve correct serial order recall. Moreover, different neuropsychological abilities were associated with different time-based test components. These data extend prior findings using a standard backward digit span test. Differences in time epochs are consistent with constructs underlying the model of executive attention and help explain mental manipulation deficits in MCI. These latency measures could constitute neurocognitive biomarkers that track emergent disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheina Emrani
- Department of Psychology, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Melissa Lamar
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Catherine C. Price
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Satya Baliga
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Victor Wasserman
- Department of Psychology, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Emily Matusz
- 5New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA
| | - Rod Swenson
- Department Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Fork, Fargo, ND 58103, USA
| | - Ganesh Baliga
- Department of Computer Science, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - David J. Libon
- Department of Psychology, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA 5New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA
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Agnello L, Camorani S, Fedele M, Cerchia L. Aptamers and antibodies: rivals or allies in cancer targeted therapy? EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2021; 2:107-121. [PMID: 36046085 PMCID: PMC9400792 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2021.00035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The goal of an efficacious cancer therapy is to specifically target diseased cells at high accuracy while sparing normal, healthy cells. Over the past three decades, immunotherapy, based on the use of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against tumor-associated antigens, to inhibit their oncogenic function, or against immune checkpoints, to modulate specific T cell responses against cancer, has proven to be an important strategy for cancer therapy. Nevertheless, the number of mAbs approved for clinical use is still limited because of significant drawbacks to their applicability. Oligonucleotide aptamers, similarly to antibodies, form high-affinity bonds with their specific protein targets, thus representing an effective tool for active cancer targeting. Compared to antibodies, aptamers’ use as therapeutic agents benefits from their low size, low/no immunogenicity, simple synthesis and design flexibility for improving efficacy and stability. This review intends to highlight recently emerged applications of aptamers as recognition elements, from biomarker discovery to targeted drug delivery and targeted treatment, showing aptamers’ potential to work in conjunction with antibodies for attacking cancer from multiple flanks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Agnello
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology “Gaetano Salvatore”, National Research Council (CNR), Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Camorani
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology “Gaetano Salvatore”, National Research Council (CNR), Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Fedele
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology “Gaetano Salvatore”, National Research Council (CNR), Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Cerchia
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology “Gaetano Salvatore”, National Research Council (CNR), Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Pereira HS, Tagliaferri TL, Mendes TADO. Enlarging the Toolbox Against Antimicrobial Resistance: Aptamers and CRISPR-Cas. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:606360. [PMID: 33679633 PMCID: PMC7932999 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.606360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the post-genomic era, molecular treatments and diagnostics have been envisioned as powerful techniques to tackle the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis. Among the molecular approaches, aptamers and CRISPR-Cas have gained support due to their practicality, sensibility, and flexibility to interact with a variety of extra- and intracellular targets. Those characteristics enabled the development of quick and onsite diagnostic tools as well as alternative treatments for pan-resistant bacterial infections. Even with such potential, more studies are necessary to pave the way for their successful use against AMR. In this review, we highlight those two robust techniques and encourage researchers to refine them toward AMR. Also, we describe how aptamers and CRISPR-Cas can work together with the current diagnostic and treatment toolbox.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tiago Antônio de Oliveira Mendes
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Modelling of Biological Systems, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
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