Translational development of splice-modifying antisense oligomers

S. Fletcher, M. Bellgard, L. Price, A. Akkari, S. Wilton

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Introduction: Antisense nucleic acid analogues can interact with pre-mRNA motifs and influence exon or splice site selection and thereby alter gene expression. Design of antisense molecules to target specific motifs can result in either exon exclusion or exon inclusion during splicing. Novel drugs exploiting the antisense concept are targeting rare, life-limiting diseases; however, the potential exists to treat a wide range of conditions by antisense-mediated splice intervention. Areas covered: In this review, the authors discuss the clinical translation of novel molecular therapeutics to address the fatal neuromuscular disorders Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy. The review also highlights difficulties posed by issues pertaining to restricted participant numbers, variable phenotype and disease progression, and the identification and validation of study endpoints. Expert opinion: Translation of novel therapeutics for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy has been greatly advanced by multidisciplinary research, academic-industry partnerships and in particular, the engagement and support of the patient community. Sponsors, supporters and regulators are cooperating to deliver new drugs and identify and define meaningful outcome measures. Non-conventional and adaptive trial design could be particularly suited to clinical evaluation of novel therapeutics and strategies to treat serious, rare diseases that may be problematic to study using more conventional clinical trial structures.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)15-30
Number of pages16
JournalExpert Opinion on Biological Therapy
Volume17
Issue number1
Early online date2 Nov 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Jan 2017

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