Enzymatic nucleic acid-mediated treatment of ocular diseases or conditions related to levels of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGF-R)
The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules which modulate the synthesis, expression and/or stability of an mRNA encoding one or more receptors of vascular endothelial growth factor, such as flt-1 and KDR. Nucleic acid molecules and methods for the inhibition of angiogenesis and treatment of cancer and ocular diseases are provided, optionally in conjunction with other therapeutic agents.
1 : A method of locally or intraconjunctivally administering to a cell a nucleic acid molecule that down regulates the expression of a flt-1 gene, wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises sequence that is complementary to RNA encoded by said flt-1 gene and is 17-30 nucleotides in length, comprising contacting said cell with said nucleic acid molecule under conditions suitable for said administration.
2 : The method of claim 1 , wherein said cell is a mammalian cell.
3 : The method of claim 1 , wherein said cell is a human cell.
4 : The method of claim 1 , wherein said administration is in the presence of a delivery reagent.
5 : The method of claim 4 , wherein said delivery reagent is a lipid.
6 : The method of claim 5 , wherein said lipid is a cationic lipid.
7 : The method of claim 5 , wherein said lipid is a phospholipid.
8 : The method of claim 4 , wherein said delivery reagent is a liposome.
9 : A method of inhibiting diabetic retinopathy in a patient comprising the step of locally or intraconjunctivally administering a nucleic acid molecule that down regulates the expression of a flt-1 gene to a patient under conditions suitable for said inhibition, wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises sequence that is complementary to RNA encoded by said flt-1 gene and is 17-30 nucleotides in length.
10 : A method of inhibiting age related macular degeneration in a patient comprising the step of locally or intraconjunctivally administering a nucleic acid molecule that down regulates the expression of a flt-1 gene to a patient under conditions suitable for said inhibition, wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises sequence that is complementary to RNA encoded by said flt-1 gene and is 17-30 nucleotides in length.
11 : A method of inhibiting neovascular glaucoma in a patient comprising the step of locally or intraconjunctivally administering a nucleic acid molecule that down regulates the expression of a flt-1 gene to a patient under conditions suitable for said inhibition, wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises sequence that is complementary to RNA encoded by said flt-1 gene and is 17-30 nucleotides in length.
12 : A method of locally or intraconjunctivally administering to a mammal a nucleic acid molecule that down regulates the expression of a flt-1 gene, wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises sequence that is complementary to RNA encoded by said fit-1 gene and is 17-30 nucleotides in length, comprising contacting the mammal with said nucleic acid molecule under conditions suitable for said administration.
13 : The method of claim 12 , wherein said mammal is a human.
14 : The method of claim 12 , wherein said administration is in the presence of a delivery reagent.
15 : The method of claim 14 , wherein said delivery reagent is a lipid.
16 : The method of claim 15 , wherein said lipid is a cationic lipid.
17 : The method of claim 15 , wherein said lipid is a phospholipid.
18 : The method of claim 14 , wherein said delivery reagent is a liposome.