Application of tumor microenvironment targeting aptamers in cancer diagnosis and treatment

<p indent="0mm">The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex system that supports the survival of tumor cells and plays a critical regulatory role in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. In recent years, with the deepening understanding of cancer biology, targeting TME has emerged as a significant research focus in cancer diagnosis and therapy. Due to their high affinity, strong specificity, and low immunogenicity, aptamers have garnered considerable attention as unique molecular tools in oncology. Their research scope has expanded beyond conventional tumor cell targeting to encompass immune cells, stromal components within TME, as well as functional regulation based on the physicochemical characteristics of TME. This review systematically summarizes the targets and physicochemical responsiveness of aptamers in TME-based cancer diagnosis and therapy, discusses the current challenges in this field, and highlights future perspectives, aiming to provide new insights for cancer diagnosis and treatment.