Advances in aptamer technology for target-based drug discovery

Yingxian Cui; Yifan Chen; Youbo Zhang; Liqin Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.jpha.2025.101369

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Yingxian Cui, Yifan Chen, Youbo Zhang, Liqin Zhang. Advances in aptamer technology for target-based drug discovery[J]. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2025.101369

Citation:

Yingxian Cui, Yifan Chen, Youbo Zhang, Liqin Zhang. Advances in aptamer technology for target-based drug discovery[J]. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2025.101369

Yingxian Cui, Yifan Chen, Youbo Zhang, Liqin Zhang. Advances in aptamer technology for target-based drug discovery[J]. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2025.101369

Citation:

Yingxian Cui, Yifan Chen, Youbo Zhang, Liqin Zhang. Advances in aptamer technology for target-based drug discovery[J]. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2025.101369

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Advances in aptamer technology for target-based drug discovery

doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2025.101369

State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China

Funds:

This work is financially supported by the National Key Research &

Development Program of China (Grant No. 2022YFA1304500), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 22227805, 22374004), Excellent Young Scientists Fund Program (Overseas), Clinical Medicine Plus X - Young Scholars Project of Peking University, the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. PKU2024LCXQ026).

Received Date: Mar. 22, 2025
Accepted Date: Jun. 16, 2025
Rev Recd Date: Jun. 09, 2025
Available Online: Jun. 21, 2025

Abstract

Abstract

Aptamer therapeutics represent a class of target-based therapies that leverage their high specificity and affinity for diverse molecular targets. As single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides, aptamers offer advantages in therapeutic applications. A critical aspect of aptamer drug development is the selection process, which has seen significant advancements through various in vitro selection methods, including Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment and its emerging variations. Recent progress has also introduced functional screening strategies that directly identify pharmacologically active aptamers, accelerating drug discovery. The applications of aptamers in disease treatment are expanding across oncology, neurodegenerative disorders, infectious diseases and other diseases. Aptamers exhibit versatile mechanisms of action, including blocking interactions, recruiting protein machinery, and inhibiting target functions. By addressing key limitations and presenting future directions, this review provides a comprehensive perspective on the recent evolving landscape of aptamer technology and its transformative potential in modern medicine.
- Target-based drug discovery,
- aptamer,
- in vitro selection,
- therapeutics development

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References(126)

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