Optimization of Short RNA Aptamers for TNBC Cell Targeting

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive cancer with limited targeted therapies. RNA aptamers, suitably chemically modified, work for therapeutic purposes in the same way as antibodies. We recently generated 2′ Fluoro-pyrimidines RNA-aptamers that act as effective recognition elements f...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Camorani, Simona, D'Argenio, Annachiara, Agnello, Lisa, Nilo, Roberto, Zanetti, Antonella, Ibarra, Luis Exequiel, Fedele, Monica, Cerchia, Laura
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2022
País:Argentina
Institución:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Repositorio:CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/202077
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/11336/202077
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:ACTIVE TARGETING
APTAMER STRUCTURES
RNA APTAMER
TNBC
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/3.5
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/3
Descripción
Sumario:Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive cancer with limited targeted therapies. RNA aptamers, suitably chemically modified, work for therapeutic purposes in the same way as antibodies. We recently generated 2′ Fluoro-pyrimidines RNA-aptamers that act as effective recognition elements for functional surface signatures of TNBC cells. Here, we optimized three of them by shortening and proved the truncated aptamers as optimal candidates to enable active targeting to TNBC. By using prediction of secondary structure to guide truncation, we identified structural regions that account for the binding motifs of the full-length aptamers. Their chemical synthesis led to short aptamers with superb nuclease resistance, which specifically bind to TNBC target cells and rapidly internalize into acidic compartments. They interfere with the growth of TNBC cells as mammospheres, thus confirming their potential as anti-tumor agents. We propose sTN145, sTN58 and sTN29 aptamers as valuable tools for selective TNBC targeting and promising candidates for effective treatments, including therapeutic agents and targeted delivery nanovectors.