Commentary: "Aptamer-functionalized hybrid nanoparticle for the treatment of breast cancer".

Abstract

The major theme throughout this paper was solving the problem of multidrug resistance (MDR) in chemotherapeutic remediation for breast cancer patients by an aptamer-labeled hybrid nanoparticle to enhance selective delivery of siRNA into tumor cells and produce an enhanced knock-down of P-glycoprotein (P-gp); which was detected mainly by western blot. The primary focus of this study was to know whether labeling nanoparticles with a cancer cell specific aptamer could enhance selective delivery of siRNA into tumor cells leading to enhanced knock-down of P-glycoprotein or P-gp as compared to non-labeled nanoparticles. The goal is to minimize cancerous gene expression by silencing its mRNA. Target specificity is not only key in completing this goal, but it is also necessary regarding, biodegradability, cytotoxicity and immune response. To accomplish this goal, the design methods had to be meticulous and carefully researched and applied.