Targeting microRNAs for the treatment of liver cancer
Provided herein are methods for the treatment of liver cancer. These methods encompass the administration of a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide, wherein the modified oligonucleotide is targeted to a miRNA. Also provided herein are compositions for the treatment of liver cancer. Such compositions include compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide, wherein the modified oligonucleotide is targeted to a miRNA. Certain miRNAs have been identified as overexpressed in liver cancer, such as, for example, hepatocellular carcinoma, and are thus selected for targeting by modified oligonucleotides. Further, certain miRNAs have been identified as overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma cells exposed to dioxin, and are thus selected for targeting by modified oligonucleotides. Antisense inhibition of certain of these miRNAs has been found to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis.
1. A method for treating liver cancer comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 15 to 30 linked nucleosides, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises a nucleobase sequence that is 100% complementary to nucleobases 2 to 7 of SEQ ID NO: 12.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the subject is a human.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the compound consists of a modified oligonucleotide.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the modified oligonucleotide is 100% complementary to a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, or 22 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 12.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the modified oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence consisting of the nucleobase sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one internucleoside linkage is a modified internucleoside linkage.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the modified internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein each internucleoside linkage is a modified internucleoside linkage.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the modified internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one nucleoside comprises a modified sugar.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein each modified sugar is independently selected from a 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar, a 2′-fluoro sugar, a 2′-O-methyl sugar, or a bicyclic sugar moiety.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein each nucleoside comprises a modified sugar.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein each modified sugar is independently selected from a 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar, a 2′-fluoro sugar, a 2′-O-methyl sugar, or a bicyclic sugar moiety.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one nucleoside comprises a modified nucleobase.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the modified nucleobase is a 5-methylcytosine.
17. The method of claim 1 comprising administering at least one additional therapy, wherein the at least one additional therapy is a chemotherapeutic agent.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the chemotherapeutic agent is selected from 5-fluorouracil, gemcitabine, doxorubicine, mitomycin c, sorafenib, etoposide, carboplatin, epirubicin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin.
19. The method of claim 1 wherein the administering results in reduction of tumor size or tumor number, or wherein the administering prevents an increase in tumor size or tumor number.
20. The method of claim 1 wherein the administering prevents or slows metastatic progression.
21. The method of claim 1 wherein the administering extends overall survival time or progression-free survival time of the subject.
22. The method of claim 1 wherein the subject has elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein or elevated serum des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin.
23. The method of claim 1 wherein the administering reduces serum alpha-fetoprotein or serum des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin.
24. The method of claim 1 wherein the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide has no mismatches to the nucleobase sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12.