Antisense RNA for Treating Cancer and Inhibition of Metastasis and Vectors for Antisense Sequestration

Abstract

Provided is the use of antisense RNA and methods for the treatment, diagnosis and prophylaxis of cancer comprising administering said antisense RNA, particularly miRs 15 and 16 to a patient in need thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treatment or prevention of cancer, comprising the step of administering a transducable vector construct to a patient, wherein the transducable vector construct comprises at least one mRNA sequence or a DNA sequence encoding the at least one mRNA sequence, and a suitable promoter therefor, and wherein the DNA sequence or the mRNA sequence is complementary to or is capable of hybridising to miR15 or 16. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transducable vector construct is a viral vector, such as a retro virus, for instance a lentivirus, or an adenovirus. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transducable vector construct comprises two or more of the at least one DNA or RNA sequences arranged in tandem. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the DNA or RNA sequences are separated by a spacer. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one DNA or RNA sequence is inserted into an untranslated region (UTR) of a gene being part of the transducable vector construct. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the gene is a reporter gene or a marker gene. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the marker is selected from the group consisting of fluorescent protein markers such as enhanced cyan fluorescent protein (ECFP), DsRed fluorescent protein, enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), enhanced yellow (EYFP) and Green Fluorescent Protein. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein miR15 has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein miR16 has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cancer is prostate cancer.