Smart ligand: Aptamer-mediated targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs and siRNA for cancer therapy

Aptamers are a class of oligonucleotides that can specifically bind to different targets with high affinity. Since their discovery in 1980s, aptamers have attracted considerable interests in medical applications. So far, initial research using aptamers as delivery systems has produced exciting results. In this review, we summarize recent progress in aptamer-mediated chemotherapeutic drug and siRNA delivery systems in tumor treatment. With regard to chemotherapeutic drugs, the 2 main methods for targeted delivery using aptamers are as follows: aptamer-drug systems (in which aptamers directly deliver the drug both as a carrier and as a ligand) and aptamer-nanoparticles systems (in which nanoparticles function together with aptamers for targeted delivery of drugs). For delivery of siRNA, aptamers can be utilized by the following ways to facilitate targeting: (1) linked by a connector; (2) form a chimera; and (3) combined with nanoparticles. In co-delivery system, the advantages associated with the use of aptamers are beginning to become apparent also. Here, the challenges and new perspectives in the field of aptamer-mediated delivery have been discussed.