Arresting the Colonial Destiny of Metastatic Seeds with DNA Aptamers

Abstract

In recent years, several studies have identified a class of carbohydrate-binding proteins known as (endothelial) E- and (platelet) P-selectins as potential therapeutic targets for inhibiting hematogenous tumor metastasis, owing to their critical role in the metastatic process. Selectins enable tethering and rolling of circulating tumor cells or cancer stem cells (CTC/CSCs) to the postcapillary venules, promoting their transmigration through the endothelium and subsequent homing to metastatic sites. In this issue of Molecular Therapy, Kang et al. describe the preclinical characterization of a nucleic acid DNA aptamer to E-selectin as a safe and effective therapeutic option for preventing this process and inhibiting breast cancer metastasis.1