Multifunctional nanoparticle–EpCAM aptamer bioconjugates: A paradigm for targeted drug delivery and imaging in cancer therapy

A Review on Aptamer-Conjugated Quantum Dot Nanosystems for Cancer Imaging and Theranostic

“…In 2007, Farokhzad and co-workers developed an intricate system based on using a FRET system QD-aptamer assembly to sense the PSMA for cancer imaging, therapy, and drug delivery of doxorubicin [91]. Additionally, Minko and colleagues attempted to deliver doxorubicin to ovarian cancer cells by applying QDs nanoparticles modified with MUC-1 aptamers [92]. Doxorubicin was conjugated to QDs via a pH-sensitive hydrazone bond in order to achieve stability of the nanosytem in the systemic circulating system and drug release in the acidic environment of cancer cells.…”

“…Evaluated the theranostic capabilities of nutlin-3a loaded poly (lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles, functionalized with a targeting ligand (EpCAM aptamer) and an imaging agent (quantum dots) for cancer therapy and bioimaging. Were developed aptamer-conjugated graphene QDs/Porphyrin derivative theranostic agent for intracellular cancer-related microRNA detection and fluorescence -Guided photothermal/photodynamic synergetic therapy [79,92].…”

Aptamers as smart ligands for nano-carriers targeting

“…Accordingly, design and development 76 of targeted delivery systems could help clinicians to reduce adverse effects of chemotherapeutic 77 drugs. Generally, two major targeted delivery strategies have been reported for NPs: I) passive 78 targeting through enhanced permeability of vasculature surrounding the tumors tissue, described 79 as the enhanced permeability and retention effect (EPR), which allows the passage of 80 macromolecules up to 400 nm in diameter into the tumor surroundingenvironment [6] and II) 81 active targeting that is achieved by conjugating tumor specific affinity ligands to NPs.…”

“…Attachment of aptamers to these nanostructures led to anew targteted drug 177 delivery system [61]. also conjugated to targeted nanostructures [77,78] or gold nanoparticles to design and develop 193 diagnostic nanocarriers [79]. In some studies, polyvalent aptamer-based targeted drug delivery 194 systems have been developed.…”

“…As it can be seen in Figure 1 enhanced cellular internalization due to multivalency effects [26]. On the other hand, Table 2 provides some examples of aptamer-targeted drug delivery systems VEGF, nucleolin, PMSA as a targeting agents can be used in imaging systems [38,43,77,104].…”