Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Repression of Multiple Myeloma Cell Growth In Vivo by Single-wall Carbon Nanotube (SWCNT)-delivered MALAT1 Antisense Oligos
07:24

Repression of Multiple Myeloma Cell Growth In Vivo by Single-wall Carbon Nanotube (SWCNT)-delivered MALAT1 Antisense Oligos

Published on: December 13, 2018

Antitumor activity of small double-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides targeting telomerase RNA in malignant melanoma

Faiza Noreen1, Jochen Heinrich, Karin Moelling

  • 1Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Oligonucleotides
|May 16, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Partially double-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) effectively inhibited human telomerase RNA (hTR) and mouse telomerase RNA (mTR), reducing cancer cell proliferation and metastasis in vivo.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Oligonucleotide Therapeutics

Background:

  • Human telomerase RNA (hTR) is a key component of the telomerase enzyme.
  • Previous studies utilized small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and antisense oligonucleotides for hTR silencing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of partially double-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) against hTR and mouse telomerase RNA (mTR).
  • To compare ODN performance with single-stranded antisense ODNs and siRNAs in vitro and in vivo.

Main Methods:

  • ODNs were designed to target hTR in HeLa cells and mTR in B16-F10 cells.
  • In vitro inhibition, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and RNase H contribution were assessed.
  • In vivo efficacy was evaluated by administering ODN-transfected B16-F10 cells to C57BL/6 mice.

Main Results:

  • ODNs achieved 68% inhibition of hTR and 81% inhibition of mTR.
  • ODN treatment rapidly inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis.
  • A 70% reduction in lung metastases was observed after intravenous ODN administration in mice.
  • RNase H activity was implicated in hTR inhibition.

Conclusions:

  • Partially double-stranded ODNs represent a novel class of nucleic acids for telomerase-based antiproliferative strategies.
  • These ODNs demonstrate significant potential for cancer treatment by targeting telomerase RNA.

More Related Videos

Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer08:34

Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer

Published on: April 13, 2015

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts10:27

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts

Published on: July 25, 2020

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...
Telomeres and Telomerase02:41

Telomeres and Telomerase

In eukaryotic DNA replication, a single-stranded DNA fragment remains at the end of a chromosome after the removal of the final primer. This section of DNA cannot be replicated in the same manner as the rest of the strand because there is no 3’ end to which the newly synthesized DNA can attach. This non-replicated fragment results in gradual loss of the chromosomal DNA during each cell duplication. Additionally, it can induce a DNA damage response by enzymes that recognize single-stranded DNA.
Replicative Cell Senescence02:15

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...