Recent Advances in Aptamer-based Detection and Therapeutics: Applications in Disease Detection, Biosensing and Targeted Drug Delivery

Aptamers, with their high specificity and affinity, represent a promising avenue for drug delivery and therapeutic applications in both cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Unlike traditional antibodies, aptamers are chemically synthesized, avoiding immunogenic responses and offering a more versatile platform for targeting molecular disease markers. In cardiovascular diseases, aptamers address limitations of existing therapies by offering targeted and precise treatment options, such as anti-platelet therapies and stent coatings. For neurodegenerative diseases, aptamers can bind to misfolded proteins, potentially preventing disease progression. Additionally, aptamers have been developed for the diagnosis and treatment of prionopathies and other animal diseases, providing rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective solutions. Their application in detecting viral and bacterial infections, toxins, and drug residues further showcases their diagnostic potential. Recent advancements in aptamer technology, including refined selection methods and chemical modifications, have positioned aptamers as versatile and powerful tools in modern diagnostics and therapeutics, offering a compelling alternative to antibodies in proteomics and beyond.