Compositions and methods for treatment of Hepatitis C virus-associated diseases

Abstract

Antisense oligonucleotides are provided which are complementary to and hybridizable with at least a portion of HCV RNA and which are capable of inhibiting the function of the HCV RNA. These oligonucleotides can be administered to inhibit the activity of Hepatitis C virus in vivo or in vitro. These compounds can be used either prophylactically or therapeutically to reduce the severity of diseases associated with Hepatitis C virus, and for diagnosis and detection of HCV and HCV-associated diseases. Methods of using these compounds are also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An oligonucleotide having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, wherein at least one adenosine nucleotide is replaced with a thymidine, cytidine or guanosine nucleotide; at least one thymidine nucleotide is replaced with an adenosine, cytidine or guanosine nucleotide; at least one guanosine nucleotide is replaced with an adenosine, thymidine or cytidine nucleotide or at least one cytidine nucleotide is replaced with an adenosine, cytidine or guanosine nucleotide.  
     
     
         2 . An RNA compound between about 8 and 80 nucleobases in length targeted to HCV genomic or messenger RNA, wherein said compound specifically hybridizes with said HCV genomic or mRNA and inhibits the expression of HCV.  
     
     
         3 . The compound of  claim 2  comprising between about 12 and 50 nucleobases in length.  
     
     
         4 . The compound of  claim 2  comprising between about 15 and 30 nucleobases in length.  
     
     
         5 . The compound of  claim 2 , wherein said compound comprises SEQ ID NO: 6.  
     
     
         6 . The compound of  claim 2 , wherein said compound is double stranded.  
     
     
         7 . A double stranded RNA compound having SEQ ID NO: 6.  
     
     
         8 . The compound of  claim 7 , wherein at least one adenosine nucleotide is replaced with a thymidine, cytidine or guanosine nucleotide; at least one uridine nucleotide is replaced with an adenosine, cytidine or guanosine nucleotide; at least one guanosine nucleotide is replaced with an adenosine, thymidine or cytidine nucleotide or at least one cytidine nucleotide is replaced with an adenosine, cytidine or guanosine nucleotide