The delivery of antisense therapeutics

Antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes and DNAzymes have emerged as novel, h ighly selective inhibitors or modulators of gene expression. Indeed, their use in the treatment of diseases arising from genetic abnormalities has bec ome a real possibility over the past few years. The first antisense drug mo lecule is now available for clinical use in Europe and USA. However, their successful application in the clinic will require improvements in cellular targeting and intracellular delivery. This review aims to look at recent ad vances in the in vitro and in vivo delivery of antisense oligodeoxynucleoti des and ribozymes. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.