Targeted delivery by aptamer-conjugated particles

Aptamers can be raised against membrane markers and receptors. They can be conjugated to drugs, including therapeutic oligonucleotides (siRNA). Such aptamers are easily associated/conjugated to nanoparticles or nanomaterials that can be loaded with drugs. Such conjugates are of interest for targeted delivery and theranostics.

See for instance an application to Duchenne muscular Dystrophy: 

Millozzi, F., Milán-Rois, P., Sett, A., Delli Carpini, G., De Bardi, M., Gisbert-Garzarán, M., Sandonà, M., Rodríguez-Díaz, C., Martínez-Mingo, M., Pardo, I., Esposito, F., Viscomi, M. T., Bouché, M., Parolini, O., Saccone, V., Toulmé, J.-J., Somoza, Á., & Palacios, D. (2025). Aptamer-conjugated gold nanoparticles enable oligonucleotide delivery into muscle stem cells to promote regeneration of dystrophic muscles. Nature Communications, 16, Article 577.