Nucleic acid aptamers are promising recognition ligands for diagnostic applications. They are short DNA or RNA molecules isolated from large random libraries through the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX) procedure. These molecules, with a particular three-dimensional shape, bind to a wide range of targets from small molecules to whole cells with high affinity and specificity. The unique properties of nucleic acid aptamers including high binding affinity and specificity, thermostability, ease of chemical production, ease of chemical modification, target adaptability, simple storage, resistance to denaturation, low immunogenicity, and low cost make them potential diagnostic tools for clinical use. Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in humans and the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. Due to low response rate to current therapies in advanced stages of the disease, early detection of CRC can be useful in disease management. This review highlights recent advances in the development of nucleic acid aptamer-based methods for diagnosis, prognosis, and theranosis of colorectal cancer.

核酸适体是用于诊断应用的有前途的识别配体。它们是通过配体系统富集通过指数富集（SELEX）程序从大型随机库中分离的短DNA或RNA分子。这些具有特定三维形状的分子以高亲和力和特异性结合从小分子到整个细胞的各种靶标。核酸适体的独特特性包括高结合亲和力和特异性，热稳定性，易于化学生产，易于化学修饰，靶标适应性，简单的储存，抗变性，低免疫原性和低成本，使其成为临床上潜在的诊断工具。结肠直肠癌是人类最常见的癌症类型之一，也是世界上导致癌症死亡的第三大原因。由于在疾病的晚期阶段对当前疗法的应答率低，因此CRC的早期检测在疾病管理中可能很有用。这篇综述着重介绍了基于核酸适体的大肠癌诊断，预后和治疗性治疗方法的最新进展。