Targeting hepatocellular carcinoma with aptamers: from biomarker detection to therapeutic applications

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with a rising incidence, low-sensitivity screening methods, and resistance to conventional therapy. With the ongoing advancements in personalized medicine, aptamers have emerged as innovative biorecognition elements owing to high stability, versatile functionalization and cell internalization capability. This review provides a comprehensive overview of aptamers and their potential to address diagnostic and therapeutic gaps in HCC. Strategies for selecting aptamers targeting the most significant HCC biomarkers are discussed, along with their applications in HCC diagnosis and therapy. Examples include various innovative screening platforms and targeted delivery systems that incorporate the benefits of different nanomaterials. The advantages and limitations of aptamernanoconjugates are highlighted, along with the key requirements for translating these strategies into the clinical practice.