Biomarker analysis with aptamers

A biomarker is a molecule or biological characteristic that can be objectively measured and
evaluated, providing essential information about a biological process, health condition or
response to treatment.
These biomolecules are detected in biological samples such as blood, urine, saliva or tissue.

Why is biomarker analysis important ?

· For early diagnosis : Biomarkers can reveal early signs of disease, facilitating diagnosis and early treatment. For example, the detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in blood is essential for the early diagnosis of prostate cancer.

· To monitor disease progression : Regular analysis of biomarkers makes it possible to monitor disease progression over time, adjust treatments and predict responses to therapeutic interventions.

· To personalize treatments : Accurate biomarker analysis enables treatments to be tailored to individual patient characteristics. This optimizes efficacy while minimizing side effects.

In which medical fields is biomarker analysis essential ?

The biomarker analysis is a fundamental element of modern medicine, helping to inform medical decisions, personalize treatments and improve patient outcomes notably in oncology, cardiology, neurology and for infectious diseases.
Aptamers offer a new dimension to this analysis, enabling specific and sensitive detection of biomarkers and paving the way for even more advanced precision medicine.

Aptamers, essential tools for biomarker analysis

Aptamers are nucleic acid molecules,DNA or RNA, that have been engineered in the laboratory for their exceptional ability to bind specifically to biological targets.
Thanks to Novaptech’s expertise, aptamers are emerging as revolutionary tools for biomarker analysis in medicine, bringing a new dimension to the detection and interpretation of these biological indicators.
The design of aptamers begins with an oligonucleotide library containing billions of different DNA or RNA sequences. These sequences undergo an in vitro selection process, during which they interact with the target of interest. Only aptamer sequences that bind specifically to the target are isolated and amplified. This rigorous selection process generates aptamers with exceptionally high affinity and unrivaled specificity towards their target.

The emergence of aptamers as biomarker analysis tools

Aptamers have revolutionized biomarker analysis in medicine for several reasons :

· High specificity : aptamers are able to distinguish their target very precisely among a complex set of biological molecules, a faculty that minimizes the risk of false positives and interferences.

· Customizable sensitivity : Novatech’s teams are able to adjust the sensitivity of aptamers, enabling them to be tailored to detect biomarkers at extremely low or high concentrations.

· Versatility : With Novaptech, aptamers can be designed to target various classes of biomarkers, including proteins, peptides, cells or even chemical compounds of low molecular weight.

· Stability : Unlike some sensitive proteins, aptamers are stable in various environments, making them reliable for use in laboratory and clinical applications.

Aptamers are designed to target a diverse range of biomarkers, making them suitable for many applications:

· Aptamers can be used to detect specific proteins in blood, facilitating the diagnosis of cancers, heart disease or autoimmune diseases.

· Aptamers are also used to isolate and detect specific cells, which is of crucial importance in immunology research and cell therapy.

Aptamers vs antibodies

Aptamers offer a number of significant advantages over other biomarker analytical methods, making them tools of choice for precise characterization of biological profiles.

High specificity and sensitivity

Aptamers are characterized by their high specificity, meaning that they bind extremely selectively to their target. In addition, they are sensitive and can detect biomarkers at very low concentrations, which is essential for early diagnosis and detection of low levels of biomarkers in biological samples.

Adaptability and customization

Aptamers are designed to adapt to a variety of targets, providing a valuable response to the specific needs of biomarker analysis. This flexibility enables our researchers to tailor aptamers to the biomarkers of interest and the conditions of analysis.

Multiplex analysis

Another advantage of aptamers lies in their ability to analyze several biomarkers simultaneously in a single sample.
This enables more complete characterization of biological profiles and provides a more detailed picture of the patient’s state of health.
For example, when analyzing a blood sample, aptamers target several proteins at the same time, which is particularly useful in diagnosing complex diseases such as cancer.

The use of aptamers in biomarker analysis has the potential to have a significant impact on more accurate medical decision-making and improved clinical outcomes. These impacts can already be seen in a number of case studies and applications, particularly for more precise medical decision-making.
Indeed, aptamers offer specific, sensitive and multiplexed analysis of biomarkers and contribute
to more accurate medical decisions in several ways:

 
Faster, more accurate diagnosis : aptamers enable diseases to be diagnosed at an early stage,
for more effective treatment. For example, in the case of cancer, early detection of tumor
biomarkers enables faster diagnosis and, consequently, more efficient therapeutic intervention.

 
Personalized treatment monitoring : By monitoring biomarker levels in real time, aptamers
enable personalized treatment follow-up. Healthcare professionals can then adjust therapies
according to the patient’s response, improving efficacy and reducing undesirable side effects.

 
Improved clinical outcomes : aptamers have the potential to improve clinical outcomes by
more accurately identifying high-risk patients, personalizing treatments and facilitating early
detection of relapses or complications.

In one clinical study, the use of aptamers to monitor levels of cardiac markers predicted impending heart attacks, enabling rapid intervention and a significant reduction in deaths.
Researchers have used aptamers to simultaneously analyze several biomarkers in the blood of patients with diabetes. This has enabled treatment regimens to be personalized, leading to better disease management and fewer complications.
In oncology, biomarker analysis by aptamers has helped identify subgroups of patients who benefited more from specific therapies, leading to higher survival rates. These examples illustrate how aptamer biomarker analysis has already contributed to more
accurate medical decision-making and improved clinical outcomes. These positive impacts reinforce the idea that aptamers will continue to play an essential role in precision medicine and personalized healthcare.