Nanoparticles and Nanomotors Modified by Nucleic Acids Aptamers for Targeted Drug Delivery

Targeted drug delivery is a new method in the therapy of various diseases, especially cancer. Typically the therapeutic drug is encapsulated into the polymer nanoparticle modified by antibodies or nucleic acids aptamers that recognize the receptors at the surface of the targeted cells. Among recognition elements the nucleic acids aptamers are of high interest. They are single stranded DNA or RNA that in solution folds into 3D structure forming binding site for specific molecule or cell. Recent decade demonstrated high efficiency of targeted drug delivery using nanoparticles and nanomotors modified by aptamers on model systems, such as cell cultures. It is assumed that such an approach will help in improvement of the therapy of cancer. This review is focused on the recent advances in targeted drug delivery by nanoparticles and nanomotors modified by aptamers. The introduction into the nanoparticle and nanomotors structure, their modification by aptamers and interaction with cells is presented.