Molecular Targets of Aptamers in Gastrointestinal Cancers: Cancer Detection, Therapeutic Applications, and Associated Mechanisms

Goh, Khang Wen and Stephen, Annatasha and Wu, Yuan Seng and Sim, Maw Shin and Batumalaie, Kalaivani and Gopinath, Subash C. B. and Mac Guad, Rhanye and Kumar, Ashok and Sekar, Mahendran and Subramaniyan, Vetriselvan and Fuloria, Neeraj Kumar and Fuloria, Shivkanya and Velaga, Appalaraju and Sarker, Md. Moklesur Rahman (2023) Molecular Targets of Aptamers in Gastrointestinal Cancers: Cancer Detection, Therapeutic Applications, and Associated Mechanisms. Journal of Cancer, 14 (13). pp. 2491-2516. ISSN 1837-9664, DOI https://doi.org/10.7150/jca.85260.

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Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are among the most common cancers that impact the global population, with high mortality and low survival rates after breast and lung cancers. Identifying useful molecular targets in GI cancers are crucial for improving diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment outcomes, however, limited by poor targeting and drug delivery system. Aptamers are often utilized in the field of biomarkers identification, targeting, and as a drug/inhibitor delivery cargo. Their natural and chemically modifiable binding capability, high affinity, and specificity are favored over antibodies and potential early diagnostic imaging and drug delivery applications. Studies have demonstrated the use of different aptamers as drug delivery agents and early molecular diagnostic and detection probes for treating cancers. This review aims to first describe aptamers' generation, characteristics, and classifications, also providing insights into their recent applications in the diagnosis and medical imaging, prognosis, and anticancer drug delivery system of GI cancers. Besides, it mainly discussed the relevant molecular targets and associated molecular mechanisms involved, as well as their applications for potential treatments for GI cancers. In addition, the current applications of aptamers in a clinical setting to treat GI cancers are deciphered. In conclusion, aptamers are multifunctional molecules that could be effectively used as an anticancer agent or drug delivery system for treating GI cancers and deserve further investigations for clinical applications.

Item Type: Article
Funders: Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (project no. FRGS/1/2019/SKK10/MAHSA/03/1), Sunway University research grant
Uncontrolled Keywords: Alimentary and digestive tract cancer; single-stranded oligonucleotides; therapeutic targets; cancer diagnosis; cancer prognosis; drug delivery
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology (including Cancer)
Divisions: Faculty of Pharmacy > Department of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences
Depositing User: Ms. Juhaida Abd Rahim
Date Deposited: 30 Oct 2025 08:20
Last Modified: 30 Oct 2025 08:20
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/49971

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