Down-modulation of survivin expression and inhibition of tumor growth in vivo by EZN-3042, a locked nucleic acid antisense oligonucleotide.

Survivin plays an important role in preventing apoptosis and permitting mitosis, and is highly expressed in various human cancers. EZN-3042 is a locked nucleic acid antisense oligonucleotide (LNA-AsODN) against survivin. We report the effects of EZN-3042 in animal models. In a chemical-induced liver regeneration model, treatment with a mouse homolog of EZN-3042 resulted in 80% down-modulation of survivin mRNA. In A549 and Calu-6 lung xenograft models, treatment with EZN-3042 single agent induced 60% down-modulation of survivin mRNA in tumors and 37-45% tumor growth inhibition (TGI). In Calu-6 model, when EZN-3042 was combined with paclitaxel, an 83% TGI was obtained. EZN-3042 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial as a single agent and in combination with docetaxel.