Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative inflammatory joint disease with progressive loss of articular cartilage that undermines patients’ quality of life. There are no regulatory-approved, disease-modifying OA medications, despite a great deal of studies done to elucidate OA pathogenesis. Until now, OA pharmacological treatment focused mainly on generalized inhibition of inflammation and pain. Currently, monoclonal antibodies and nucleic-acid aptamers emerge as targeted therapies offering potential alternatives by addressing the complex challenges posed by OA, such as specifically reducing inflammation and pain in the joint targeting specific molecular key players, instead of a systemic and generalized approach like with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Aptamers’ properties, including structure versatility, reduced immunogenicity, and flexible administration methods, position them as high-potential candidates for OA treatment. This review summarizes results from clinical trials applying monoclonal antibodies to treat OA, preclinical research, and the development of aptamers as a new generation of targeting agents. Meanwhile, it provides a comprehensive comparison of the characteristics, advantages, and limitations of aptamers versus monoclonal antibodies. Notably, the promising applications of aptamers, demonstrated in other inflammatory and degenerative conditions, underscore their potential for OA therapy. We anticipate that the application of aptamer could offer a new way of OA pharmacological intervention.

Bacterial infections and antimicrobial resistance are posing substantial difficulties to the worldwide healthcare system. The constraints of conventional diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in dealing with continuously changing infections highlight the necessity for innovative solutions. Aptamers, which are synthetic oligonucleotide ligands with a high degree of specificity and affinity, have demonstrated significant promise in the field of bacterial infection management. This review examines the use of aptamers in the diagnosis and therapy of bacterial infections. The scope of this study includes the utilization of aptasensors and imaging technologies, with a particular focus on their ability to detect conditions at an early stage. Aptamers have shown exceptional effectiveness in suppressing bacterial proliferation and halting the development of biofilms in therapeutic settings. In addition, they possess the capacity to regulate immune responses and serve as carriers in nanomaterial-based techniques, including radiation and photodynamic therapy. We also explore potential solutions to the challenges faced by aptamers, such as nuclease degradation and in vivo instability, to broaden the range of applications for aptamers to combat bacterial infections.