THE USE OF ANTISENSE OLIGONUCLEOTIDES AS THERAPEUTIC AGENTS - A REVIEW

Antisense oligonucleotides are synthetic nucleotide sequences designed to inhibit the expression of a single mRNA species. The increasing id entification of genes associated with disease, and the failure of some forms of conventional pharmacological agents, has prompted the therap eutic use of antisense oligonucleotides. Whilst this approach holds gr eet promise, particularly for diseases in which there is expression of unique gene sequences, considerable care is required in the design, s ynthesis and administration of antisense oligonucleotides in this cont ext. This review summarises the concerns regarding the potential role of antisense oligonucleotides as therapeutic agents.