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Szymanowski W, Szymanowska A, Bielawska A, Lopez-Berestein G, Rodriguez-Aguayo C, Amero P. Aptamers as Potential Therapeutic Tools for Ovarian Cancer: Advancements and Challenges. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5300. [PMID: 37958473 PMCID: PMC10647731 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15215300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most common lethal gynecologic cause of death in women worldwide, with a high mortality rate and increasing incidence. Despite advancements in the treatment, most OC patients still die from their disease due to late-stage diagnosis, the lack of effective diagnostic methods, and relapses. Aptamers, synthetic, short single-stranded oligonucleotides, have emerged as promising anticancer therapeutics. Their ability to selectively bind to target molecules, including cancer-related proteins and receptors, has revolutionized drug discovery and biomarker identification. Aptamers offer unique insights into the molecular pathways involved in cancer development and progression. Moreover, they show immense potential as drug delivery systems, enabling targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to cancer cells while minimizing off-target effects and reducing systemic toxicity. In the context of OC, the integration of aptamers with non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) presents an opportunity for precise and efficient gene targeting. Additionally, the conjugation of aptamers with nanoparticles allows for accurate and targeted delivery of ncRNAs to specific cells, tissues, or organs. In this review, we will summarize the potential use and challenges associated with the use of aptamers alone or aptamer-ncRNA conjugates, nanoparticles, and multivalent aptamer-based therapeutics for the treatment of OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Szymanowski
- Department of Biotechnology, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (W.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Anna Szymanowska
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.S.); (G.L.-B.); (C.R.-A.)
| | - Anna Bielawska
- Department of Biotechnology, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (W.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Gabriel Lopez-Berestein
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.S.); (G.L.-B.); (C.R.-A.)
- Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNA, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Cristian Rodriguez-Aguayo
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.S.); (G.L.-B.); (C.R.-A.)
- Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNA, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Paola Amero
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.S.); (G.L.-B.); (C.R.-A.)
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Singh N, Hutson R, Milton NGN, Javid FA. Ovarian cancer and KiSS-1 gene expression: A consideration of the use of Kisspeptin plus Kisspeptin aptamers in diagnostics and therapy. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 917:174752. [PMID: 35026192 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.174752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Gynaecological cancers continue to present a significant health burden upon the health of the global female population. This deficit is most prominent with ovarian cancer which possesses the lowest survival rate compared to all other cancers occurring within this anatomical region, with an annual UK-mortality of 7,300. The poor tolerability and selectively of the treatment options that are currently available is likely to have contributed to this high mortality rate thus, demonstrating the need for the development of enhanced therapeutic approaches. Aptamer technology would involve the engineering of specifically sequenced oligonucleotide chains, which bind to macromolecular targets with a high degree of affinity and selectively. Recent in-vitro studies conducted upon the clinical utility of this technique have supported its superiority in targeting individual therapeutic drug targets compared to various other targeting moieties currently within therapeutic use such as, monoclonal antibodies. For this reason, the employment of this technique is likely to be favourable in reducing the incidence of non-specific, chemotherapy-associated adverse effects. Kisspeptin is a naturally expressed polypeptide with an established role in the development of the reproductive system and other proposed roles in influencing the ability of ovarian cancer growths to exhibit the metastasis hallmark. This distinctive feature would indicate the potential for the manipulation of this pathway through the application of aptamer structures in developing a novel prophylactic strategy and improve the long-term outcome for ovarian cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navinder Singh
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Hutson
- St James's Leeds University Teaching Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
| | - Nathaniel G N Milton
- Centre for Biomedical Science Research, School of Health, Leeds Beckett University, City Campus, Leeds, LS1 3HE, United Kingdom
| | - Farideh A Javid
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, United Kingdom.
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Hulstaert E, Morlion A, Levanon K, Vandesompele J, Mestdagh P. Candidate RNA biomarkers in biofluids for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer: A systematic review. Gynecol Oncol 2020; 160:633-642. [PMID: 33257015 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed in an advanced stage and is associated with a high mortality rate. It is assumed that early detection of ovarian cancer could improve patient outcomes. Unfortunately, effective screening methods for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer are still lacking. Extracellular RNAs circulating in human biofluids can reliably be measured and are emerging as potential biomarkers in cancer. In this systematic review, we present 75 RNA biomarkers detectable in human biofluids that have been studied for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The majority of these markers are microRNAs identified using RT-qPCR or microarrays in blood-based fluids. A handful of studies used RNA-sequencing and explored alternative fluids, such as urine and ascites. Candidate RNA biomarkers that were more abundant in biofluids of ovarian cancer patients compared to controls in at least two independent studies include miR-21, the miR-200 family, miR-205, miR-10a and miR-346. Amongst the markers confirmed to be lower in at least two studies are miR-122, miR-193a, miR-223, miR-126 and miR-106b. While these biomarkers show promising diagnostic potential, further validation is required before implementation in routine clinical care. Challenges related to biomarker validation and reflections on future perspectives to accelerate progress in this field are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Hulstaert
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent 9000, Belgium; OncoRNALab, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent 9000, Belgium; Department of Dermatology, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent 9000, Belgium.
| | - Annelien Morlion
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent 9000, Belgium; OncoRNALab, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent 9000, Belgium.
| | - Keren Levanon
- Sheba Cancer Research Center, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
| | - Jo Vandesompele
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent 9000, Belgium; OncoRNALab, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent 9000, Belgium.
| | - Pieter Mestdagh
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent 9000, Belgium; OncoRNALab, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent 9000, Belgium.
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Saedi S, Khoradmehr A, Mohammad Reza JS, Tamadon A. The role of neuropeptides and neurotransmitters on kisspeptin/kiss1r-signaling in female reproduction. J Chem Neuroanat 2018; 92:71-82. [PMID: 30008384 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Reproductive function is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonads (HPG) axis. Hypothalamic neurons synthesizing kisspeptin play a fundamental role in the central regulation of the timing of puberty onset and reproduction in mammals. Kisspeptin is a regulator of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). In female rodent, the kisspeptin (encoded by kiss1 gene), neurokinin B (Tac3) and dynorphin neurons form the basis for the "KNDy neurons" in the arcuate nucleus and play a fundamental role in the regulation of GnRH/LH release. Furthermore, various factors including neurotransmitters and neuropeptides may cooperate with kisspeptin signaling to modulate GnRH function. Many neuropeptides including proopiomelanocortin, neuropeptide Y, agouti-related protein, and other neuropeptides, as well as neurotransmitters, dopamine, norepinephrine and γ-aminobutyric acid are suggested to control feeding and HPG axis, the underlying mechanisms are not well known. Nonetheless, to date, information about the neurochemical factors of kisspeptin neurons remains incomplete in rodent. This review is intended to provide an overview of KNDy neurons; major neuropeptides and neurotransmitters interfere in kisspeptin signaling to modulate GnRH function for regulation of puberty onset and reproduction, with a focus on the female rodent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saman Saedi
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Arezoo Khoradmehr
- Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
| | | | - Amin Tamadon
- The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
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