Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo
09:19

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo

Published on: February 6, 2015

Targeting tumor cell resistance to apoptosis induction with antisense oligonucleotides: progress and therapeutic

R A Olie1, U Zangemeister-Wittke

  • 1Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Zürich, Häldeliweg 4, CH-8044 Zürich, Switzerland. robert.olie@dim.usz.ch

Drug Resistance Updates : Reviews and Commentaries in Antimicrobial and Anticancer Chemotherapy
|August 22, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Antisense oligonucleotides targeting anti-apoptotic proteins can induce cancer cell death and enhance treatment effectiveness. This approach offers a promising strategy for improving cancer therapy outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cancer survival rates have seen only moderate improvement with current chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
  • Overexpression of anti-apoptotic proteins contributes to cancer development and resistance to treatments by inhibiting apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) in cancer therapy.
  • To investigate if ASOs targeting anti-apoptotic proteins can overcome treatment resistance and enhance tumor cell apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized antisense oligonucleotides designed to specifically inhibit the expression of key anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, FLIP, surviving).
  • Assessed the effect of these ASOs on tumor cell apoptosis and sensitization to cytotoxic treatments.

Main Results:

  • ASOs effectively inhibited the expression of targeted anti-apoptotic proteins.
  • Inhibition of these proteins led to increased tumor cell apoptosis.
  • Tumor cells treated with ASOs showed enhanced sensitivity to conventional cytotoxic therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Antisense oligonucleotides targeting anti-apoptotic proteins represent a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer.
  • Combining ASOs with existing treatments may significantly improve cancer therapy efficacy and patient survival rates.

More Related Videos

Looking for Driver Pathways of Acquired Resistance to Targeted Therapy: Drug Resistant Subclone Generation and Sensitivity Restoring by Gene Knock-down08:59

Looking for Driver Pathways of Acquired Resistance to Targeted Therapy: Drug Resistant Subclone Generation and Sensitivity Restoring by Gene Knock-down

Published on: December 11, 2017

Establishing Cell Lines Overexpressing DR3 to Assess the Apoptotic Response to Anti-mitotic Therapeutics12:28

Establishing Cell Lines Overexpressing DR3 to Assess the Apoptotic Response to Anti-mitotic Therapeutics

Published on: January 11, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets01:29

Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets

Advances in genomics have profoundly influenced drug discovery by increasing both the speed and accuracy of pharmaceutical development. Pharmacogenomics, which examines how genetic variation influences drug response, facilitates the identification of novel therapeutic targets and enables patient stratification for personalized treatment. These strategies contribute to improved drug efficacy, minimized adverse effects, and more efficient clinical trial design.Mapping genetic differences...