Gene-targeted apoptosis

摘要

Described herein are methods of triplex-induced apoptosis, in which multiple triplexes are formed in cells in which gene amplification has occurred (cells comprising/characterized by at least one amplified gene), referred to as target cells, and apoptosis is induced in the target cells.

主权项

1. A method of inducing apoptosis in breast cancer cells in which the HER2 gene is amplified, the method comprising contacting breast cancer cells in which the HER2 gene is amplified with
(a) triplex inducing oligonucleotides (TFOs) specific for a polypurine site in the amplified HER2 gene and (b) a transport peptide, under conditions under which the TFOs and the transport peptide enter the breast cancer cells and the TFOs enter the breast cancer cells in sufficient quantity to induce apoptosis.