REVOLUTIONARY ROLE OF APTAMERS IN GENE DELIVERY: A PARADIGM SHIFT IN TARGETED THERAPY

Shivani Rathor*

ABSTRACT

Precision medicine has made significant strides in the last ten years in the tailored treatment of numerous illnesses, particularly cancer. Single-stranded nucleic acid aptamers are a promising targeted element. useful oligonucleotides have certain properties that allow them to attach to a wide range of target targets, from tiny molecules to whole organisms. They are frequently referred to as "chemical antibodies" and have generated a lot of attention in many clinical investigations due to their benefits, which include rapid tissue penetration, minimal immunogenicity, significant biostability, and adaptable chemical modification. Therefore, aptamer-embedded drug delivery devices present a previously unheard-of possibility in biomedicine and bioanalysis. Their primary function is as targeted ligands in disease diagnostic kits, biosensors, and therapeutic approaches. They can precisely target pathogens, regulate the growth of microorganisms, and deliver medications and contrast chemicals into cancer cells and tissues. Aptamer-conjugated CS NPs can overcome the enhanced permeability retention (EPR) effect, reduce the adverse effects of traditional medicines on healthy tissues, and greatly increase their effectiveness. Additionally, aptamer-conjugated nanobiopolymers based on carbohydrates have demonstrated outstanding .It has antiviral and antibacterial qualities and can be utilized to create innovative biosensors that effectively detect toxins, antibiotics, and other biomolecules. The goal of this revised review is to present a thorough analysis of the bioapplications of aptamer-conjugated CS NPs as cutting-edge platforms for diagnosis and treatment, as well as their drawbacks and possible future prospects.

Keywords: Chemical antibody, immunogenicity, significant biostability, enhanced permeability retention, Aptamer-conjugated CS NPs, nanobiopolymers.