Aptamer therapeutics refer to a class of therapeutic agents that are based on aptamers. Aptamers are short, single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules that can bind to specific target molecules with high affinity and specificity. They are often referred to as "chemical antibodies" due to their ability to recognize and bind to target molecules, such as proteins, peptides, small molecules, or even cells.
Aptamer therapeutics have gained significant attention in the field of medicine and biotechnology due to their unique properties. They can be designed and selected to bind to a wide range of targets, including disease-associated proteins or receptors. Once bound to their target, aptamers can interfere with biological processes, such as blocking protein-protein interactions, inhibiting enzymatic activity, or modulating signaling pathways.
The potential advantages of aptamer therapeutics include their high specificity, low immunogenicity, and ease of synthesis and modification. They can be chemically synthesized, allowing for the incorporation of various modifications to enhance stability, pharmacokinetics, and target binding affinity.
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