• Aptamer-Based Approaches in Leukemia: A Paradigm Shift in Targeted Therapy” Running title: Aptamers in Leukemia Diagnosis and Treatment
  • Alireza Bayani,1,*
    1. Division of Laboratory Hematology and Blood Banking, Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran


  • Introduction: Aptamers, which are short, single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules, have emerged as powerful tools in oncology, especially for the diagnosis and treatment of leukemia—a hematological malignancy marked by the proliferation of abnormal white blood cells. These synthetic chemical antibodies are recognized for their high specificity, sensitivity, and cost-effectiveness, presenting a novel and promising approach in cancer management. Their ability to bind to specific molecular targets makes them valuable in addressing the complexity and heterogeneity of cancers such as leukemia.
  • Methods: This review was conducted by analyzing recent literature focused on aptamer-based technologies in leukemia. Scientific databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched using relevant keywords and MeSH terms such as “Aptamers,” “Leukemia,” “Targeted Therapy,” and “Cancer Biomarkers.” Additionally, reference lists of relevant articles were manually screened to identify studies discussing diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic applications of aptamers.
  • Results: Recent findings demonstrate that aptamers have significantly contributed to personalized medicine by selectively targeting overexpressed biomarkers in leukemia cells, modulating oncogenic signaling pathways, and improving the precision of drug delivery mechanisms. Their integration into diagnostic platforms has enhanced sensitivity in detecting minimal residual disease and refined prognostic assessments. Moreover, aptamer-drug conjugates and aptamer-functionalized nanoparticles have expanded treatment options for high-risk or relapsed leukemia cases, potentially improving clinical outcomes. These innovations underline the versatility of aptamers in various stages of disease management.
  • Conclusion: Aptamer-based strategies offer transformative potential in leukemia diagnosis and therapy, with clear advantages in specificity, cost, and adaptability. However, despite encouraging preclinical and early clinical results, significant hurdles remain. These include challenges in large-scale production, in vivo stability, regulatory approval, and the standardization of delivery platforms. Future research must focus on overcoming these barriers to facilitate the clinical translation of aptamer technologies and fully realize their potential in hematologic malignancies.
  • Keywords: Aptamers; Leukemia; Diagnosis; Targeted therapy; Personal medicine