Aptamers in Cancer Therapy: Mechanisms, Applications, and Translational Perspectives
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Oncology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 2
Special Issue Editor
Interests: quantum chemistry; bioinformatics; cancer research; molecular structure; computational chemistry; electron density functional theory; solid-state chemistry and physics
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Aptamers—short, structured oligonucleotides selected for high affinity and specificity—are increasingly recognized as versatile tools in oncology. Their ability to selectively bind tumor‑associated proteins, nucleic acids, and even whole cells provides unique opportunities to interrogate cancer biology and to develop innovative therapeutic strategies. With advantages such as synthetic accessibility, low immunogenicity, and tunable pharmacokinetics, aptamers are poised to complement or even surpass traditional antibody‑based approaches in certain contexts.
We are pleased to invite you to submit original research articles as well as reviews that address novel mechanistic findings, therapeutic applications, and biomarker discovery. Contributions that bridge basic molecular understanding with translational and clinical applications will be prioritized, ensuring that this Special Issue captures both fundamental advances and their potential impact on precision oncology.
This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in aptamer research, with particular emphasis on mechanistic insights, translational applications, and clinical perspectives. By collecting high‑quality contributions from international scholars, we seek to consolidate current knowledge and highlight emerging directions in the field of aptamer‑based cancer therapy.
Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Mechanistic insights into aptamer–target interactions in cancer biology, such as binding to EGFR or HER2.
- Aptamer‑mediated drug delivery and targeted therapeutics, including conjugates with chemotherapeutics or RNA drugs.
- Aptamers in cancer immunotherapy, for example blocking immune checkpoints, targeting senescent cells, or enhancing T‑cell activation.
- Molecular imaging and diagnostic applications, such as aptamer‑based probes for PET or fluorescence imaging.
- Aptamer‑based biomarker discovery for patient stratification and prognosis.
- SELEX and emerging technologies for aptamer development, including microfluidic and computational approaches.
- Theranostic strategies integrating aptamers for combined diagnosis and therapy.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Prof. Dr. Gabor I. Csonka
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- aptamers
- targeted drug delivery
- cancer immunotherapy
- molecular imaging
- biomarkers
- precision oncology
- SELEX
- theranostics
- translational oncology
- mechanistic insights
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