Advancements in Genetic Engineering
Open Access

Abstract

pH-sensitive Covalent Linkages in Dimeric DNA Aptamer Complexes for High-capacity?targeted Drug Delivery

Christ H Stunt

To improve cancer chemotherapy, cell-specific delivery of cytotoxic drugs through passive and active targeting is a key goal. The targeting vehicle must have the required dimensions for tumour localization through the enhanced permeability and retention effect, as well as bind to an antigen that is specifically expressed by targeted cells with high affinity. Drug delivery through a targeted approach has additional requirements in terms of drug complex stability: the drug must be held in the complex during targeting, which can take several hours, but released after binding to the targeted cell. Drug delivery should also be effective, with several drugs released for each complex that is successfully targeted. New targeted drug delivery methods that are stable and deliver a large payload are desperately needed.