Synthesis of branched antisense oligonucleotides having multiple specificities. Treatment of hormone insensitive prostate cancer.

Antisense oligonucleotides (oligos) directed against transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and its binding site, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), have demonstrated in vitro and in vivo efficacy against both the PC-3 and LNCaP prostate tumor models. In an attempt to increase the efficiency of these oligos a new type of antisense compound called a bispecific oligo has been evaluated in vitro both alone and in combination with traditional chemotherapeutic agents. These bispecifics, which were first proposed in this journal in 2004, include binding sites for both TGF-alpha and EGFR along the same stretch of complementary DNA. Such bispecifics are able to deliver essentially two antisense activities in an equal molar ratio and can be directed against mRNA encoding proteins of different biochemical pathways. The first bispecifics were developed against two proteins regulating a single autocrine loop. Subsequent bispecifics have been developed which target both EGFR and the apoptosis regulating protein bcl-2. Bispecific activity of a single linear sequence oligo has already been shown to have efficacy. To further develop this multispecific approach, we now propose a branched antisense compound, again, having multiple binding site activities (to complementary sequenced mRNA). Active oligos would be attached to a fat soluble backbone which might enhance targeting and also intracellular entry, release and activity. Such a structure would also permit the customization of these branched forms to include oligos targeting specific proteins related to the growth of various tumor types. Problems associated with the development of antisense oligos have included both membrane solubility and specific targeting. By designing this branched form of antisense structure, multiple activities can be retained (added), solubility improved and delivery enhanced. Such a new formulation would include several antisense oligos covalently bound to and branching off from a lipid-like backbone. An elongated hydrocarbon chain would increase fat solubility and would permit oligo incorporation into nanoparticles or liposome derived delivery vehicles. Specific delivery of oligos could also be enhanced by the tendency of these nanoparticle or liposomal microbubbles to be disrupted under the influence of ultrasonic waves beamed at the targeted tissue.