Aptamer-functionalized hydrogel as effective anti-cancer drugs delivery agents

• An aptamer-functionalized hydrogel has been developed which can be regulated by the AS1411 aptamer with the sol–gel conversion.
• Encapsulation of drugs to limit tissue exposure before desired delivery was accomplished in the formation of the hydrogel.
• Trigger release at a specific time and location, was achieved by the aptamer crosslinking in the hydrogel.

An aptamer-functionalized hydrogel has been developed, which can be regulated by the AS1411 aptamer with the sol–gel conversion. Also the hydrogel can be further utilized for the controlled encapsulation and release of the cancer drugs. Specially, the AS1411 initiates the hybridization of acrydite-modified oligonucleotides to form the hydrogels and the presence of the target protein nucleolin leads the gel to dissolve as a result of reducing the cross-linking density by competitive target-aptamer binding. Based on the rheology of hydrogels, it is possible to utilize this material for storing and releasing molecules. In this research, the cancer drug doxorubicin is encapsulated inside the gel during the formation of the hydrogel and then released in the presence of nucleolin. Further experiments are carried out to prove the specific recognition of target matter. In vitro researches confirm that the aptamer-functionalized hydrogels can be used as drug carriers in targeted therapy and other biotechnological applications.

(A) The synthesis process of aptamer-functionalized hydrogel. (B) Working principle of aptamer-functionalized hydrogel for target drug delivery.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide