Applications of Aptamers in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Ovarian Cancer: Progress From 2016 to 2020.

Luoshan Ruan,Xin Li

doi:10.3389/fgene.2021.683542

Luoshan Ruan, Xin Li

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2021.683542

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Abstract

Nucleic acid aptamers are short single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides selected from a random single-stranded nucleic acid library using systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment technology. To allow them to bind to molecular targets with the same specificity and precision as that of antibodies, aptamers are folded into secondary or tertiary structures. However, compared to antibodies, aptamers are not immunogenic and are easier to synthesize. Furthermore, they are chemically modified, which protects them from degradation by nucleases. Hence, due to their stability and favorable targeting ability, aptamers are promising for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Ovarian cancer has the worst prognosis among all gynecological diseases and is usually diagnosed at the medium and advanced stages due to its nonspecific symptoms. Relapse is common, even if patients receive a standard therapeutic regimen including surgery and chemotherapy; simultaneously, drug resistance and adverse effects are reported in a several patients. Therefore, the safer and more efficient diagnostic and treatment method for ovarian cancer is imperative. Scientists have been trying to utilize aptamer technology for the early diagnosis and accurate treatment of ovarian cancer and some progress has been made in this field. This review discusses the screening of nucleic acid aptamers by targeting ovarian cancer cells and the application of aptamers in the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer.

Highlights

First reported by Ellington and Szostak (1990) and Tuerk and Gold (1990; hereinafter referred to as “aptamer”), are oligonucleotides screened by the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) technology from a random singlestranded nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) library
Aptamers are like antibodies that are synthesized through chemical pathways; compared to antibodies, aptamers are more stable to variations in pH and temperatures, have modifiable chemical structures, and are not immunogenic
MicroRNA214 is overexpressed in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells and downregulates the expression of PTEN proteins, while activating the PI3K/ Akt pathway by modulating the 3ʹ-untranslated region (UTR) of the PTEN gene, which is beneficial for cancer cell survival; inhibition of miR-214 may improve the sensitivity of tumors to chemotherapeutic drugs

Summary

Introduction

First reported by Ellington and Szostak (1990) and Tuerk and Gold (1990; hereinafter referred to as “aptamer”), are oligonucleotides screened by the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) technology from a random singlestranded nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) library. Tsai et al (2017) designed an integrated microfluidic system using the CX-BG1-10-A aptamer for the detection of ovarian cancer-derived BG-1 cells, and the detection steps included RBC lysis, WBC depletion, and circulating tumor cell isolation, which made it more sensitive compared to antibody-based detection systems; this microfluidic system completed the entire process within an hour without human intervention and exhibited a high capture rate and a low false positive rate, thereby saving time.

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Conclusion