Aptamer-dendrimer bioconjugate: a nanotool for therapeutics, diagnosis, and imaging.
BACKGROUND
Aptamers hold great promise as molecular tool in biomedical applications due to the therapeutic utility exhibited by their target specificity and sensitivity. Although current development of aptamer is hindered by its probable in vivo degradation, inefficient immobilization on probe surface, and generation of low detection signal, bioconjugation with nanomaterials can feasibly solve these problems. Nanostructures such as dendrimers, with multivalency and nonimmunogenicity, bioconjugated with aptamers have opened newer vistas for better pharmaceutical applications of aptamers.


METHODS
This review covers brief overview of aptamers and dendrimers, with specific focus on recent progresses of aptamer-dendrimer (Apt-D) bioconjugate in areas of targeted drug delivery, diagnosis, and molecular imaging along with the discussion on the currently available conjugates, using their in vitro and in vivo results.


CONCLUSIONS
The novel Apt-D bioconjugates have led to advances in targeting cancer cell, have amplified biosensing, and offered in vivo cell imaging. Because of the unique properties and applications, Apt-D bioconjugate propose an exciting future. However, further research in synthesis of new target-specific aptamers and their conjugation with dendrimers is required to establish full potential of Apt-D bioconjugate.
University of Mumbai, Bharati Vidyapeeth's College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, CBD Belapur, Sector-8, Navi-Mumbai-400614, India. misspriti.pednekar@gmail.com
Priti P
PP
Pednekar
Kisan R
KR
Jadhav
Vilasrao J
VJ
Kadam
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D050091:Dendrimers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D057054:Molecular Imaging; D049329:Nanostructures; D045663:Quantum Dots
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D050091:Dendrimers; D004337:Drug Carriers