Targeting triple-negative breast cancer cells with a β1-integrin binding aptamer

Karlis Pleiko; Maarja Haugas; Vadims Parfejevs; Teodors Pantelejevs; Emilio Parisini; Tambet Teesalu; Una Riekstina

Molecular Therapy: Nucleic Acids (Sep 2023)

Targeting triple-negative breast cancer cells with a β1-integrin binding aptamer

Karlis Pleiko,
Maarja Haugas,
Vadims Parfejevs,
Teodors Pantelejevs,
Emilio Parisini,
Tambet Teesalu,
Una Riekstina

Affiliations

Karlis Pleiko: Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, House of Science, Jelgavas Str. 3, 1004 Riga, Latvia; Laboratory of Precision- and Nanomedicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; Corresponding author: Karlis Pleiko, Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, House of Science, Jelgavas Str. 3, 1004 Riga, Latvia.
Maarja Haugas: Laboratory of Precision- and Nanomedicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
Vadims Parfejevs: Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, House of Science, Jelgavas Str. 3, 1004 Riga, Latvia
Teodors Pantelejevs: Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, 1006 Riga, Latvia
Emilio Parisini: Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, 1006 Riga, Latvia; Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Tambet Teesalu: Laboratory of Precision- and Nanomedicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA; Corresponding author: Tambet Teesalu, Laboratory of Precision- and Nanomedicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.
Una Riekstina: Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, House of Science, Jelgavas Str. 3, 1004 Riga, Latvia; Corresponding author: Una Riekstina, Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, House of Science, Jelgavas Str. 3, 1004 Riga, Latvia.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 33
pp. 871 – 884

Abstract

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Targeted therapies have increased the treatment options for triple-negative breast cancer patients. However, the paucity of targetable biomarkers and tumor heterogeneity have limited the ability of precision-guided interventions to live up to their full potential. As affinity-targeting ligands, aptamers show high selectivity toward target molecules. Compared with antibodies, aptamers have lower molecular weight, increased stability during transportation, reduced immunogenicity, and increased tissue uptake. Recently, we reported discovery of the GreenB1 aptamer, which is internalized in cultured triple-negative MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. We show that the GreenB1 aptamer specifically targets β1-integrin, a protein linked previously to breast cancer cell invasiveness and migration. Aptamer binds to β1-integrin with low nanomolar affinity. Our findings suggest potential applications for GreenB1-guided precision agents for diagnosis and therapy of cancers overexpressing β1-integrin.

Published in Molecular Therapy: Nucleic Acids

ISSN: 2162-2531 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Therapeutics. Pharmacology
Website: https://www.cell.com/molecular-therapy-family/nucleic-acids/latest-content

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