In cancer therapy, aptamers can be employed as therapeutic agents or drug delivery vehicles. As therapeutic agents, aptamers can inhibit the function of target proteins involved in cancer progression, such as growth factors or signaling molecules. This can block pathways that cancer cells rely on for survival and proliferation. Additionally, aptamers can be conjugated with chemotherapeutic drugs, nanoparticles, or other therapeutic agents to deliver these treatments directly to cancer cells. This targeted delivery minimizes damage to healthy tissues and reduces side effects, improving the overall efficacy of cancer therapy.
