| خلاصه مقاله | The cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a critical therapeutic target because they drive tumor initiation, metastasis, and resistance to conventional therapies. Aptamers—short, single-stranded nucleic acids with high specificity and affinity—offer unique therapeutic advantages over antibodies, including stability, ease of synthesis, and functional versatility. This review highlights research from 2000–2025 on aptamer-based approaches against CSCs. Strategies include direct inhibition of CSC-specific pathways, aptamer–drug conjugates (ApDCs), aptamer–siRNA chimeras, and dual-targeting systems. By targeting key CSC biomarkers such as CD44, CD133, CD20, and EpCAM, these strategies show great potential to overcome therapy resistance and reduce the risk of tumor relapse. Recent advances in this field underscore the promise of aptamers in precision oncology. By selectively eradicating CSCs, aptamer-based therapeutics can provide more durable and effective treatment outcomes, reshaping future cancer therapy paradigms. |