Apt-1

Apt-1 (also known as Adam8-Apt-1-26nt) is an RNA aptamer that specifically targets the extracellular soluble metalloproteinase (MP) domain of disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 8 (ADAM8). Developed by researchers at the University of South Florida and Vanderbilt University, Apt-1 acts as a sheddase inhibitor, blocking the extracellular activity of ADAM8. This blockade reverses the cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) phenotype (specifically myofibroblastic CAFs or myCAFs) and reduces cancer stemness in the tumor microenvironment. In preclinical models of triple-negative breast cancer and liver cancer, Apt-1 has demonstrated the ability to significantly inhibit tumor growth and metastasis.