Organic compounds -- part of the class 532-570 series – Organic compounds – Carbohydrates or derivatives
Reexamination Certificate
1997-03-17
2002-08-13
Wang, Andrew (Department: 1635)
Organic compounds -- part of the class 532-570 series
Organic compounds
Carbohydrates or derivatives
C536S023100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06433159
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the design and synthesis of antisense oligonucleotides which can be administered to inhibit the replication of Hepatitis C virus in vivo or in vitro and to treat Hepatitis C virus-associated disease. These compounds can be used either prophylactically or therapeutically to reduce the severity of diseases associated with Hepatitis C virus. Oligonucleotides which are specifically hybridizable with RNA targets are disclosed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The predominant form of hepatitis currently resulting from transfusions is not related to the previously characterized Hepatitis A virus or Hepatitis B virus and has been referred to as Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis (NANBH). NANBH currently accounts for over 90% of cases of post-transfusion hepatitis. Estimates of the frequency of NANBH in transfusion recipients range from 5%-13% for those receiving volunteer blood, or 25-54% for those receiving blood from commercial sources.
Acute NANBH, while often less severe than acute disease caused by Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B viruses, occasionally leads to severe or fulminant hepatitis. Of greater concern, progression to chronic hepatitis is much more common after NANBH than after either Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B infection. Chronic NANBH has been reported in 10%-70% of infected individuals. This form of hepatitis can be transmitted even by asymptomatic patients, and frequently progresses to malignant disease such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Chronic active hepatitis, with or without cirrhosis, is seen in 44%-90% of posttransfusion hepatitis cases. Of those patients who developed cirrhosis, approximately one-fourth died of liver failure.
Chronic active NANBH is a significant problem to hemophiliacs who are dependent on blood products; 5%-11% of hemophiliacs die of chronic end-stage liver disease. Cases of NANBH other than those traceable to blood or blood products are frequently associated with hospital exposure, accidental needle stick, or tattooing. Transmission through close personal contact also occurs, though this is less common for NANBH than for Hepatitis B.
The causative agent of the majority of NANBH has recently been identified and is now referred to as Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Houghton et al., EP Publication 318,216; Choo et al.,
Science
1989, 244, 359-362. Based on serological studies using recombinant DNA-generated antigens it is now clear that HCV is the causative agent of most cases of post-transfusion NANBH. Clones of cDNA prepared from nucleic acid isolated from concentrated virus particles were originally isolated based on their ability to encode polypeptides which reacted with sera from NANBH patients. These clones hybridized with RNA, but not DNA, isolated from infected liver tissue, indicating the presence of an RNA genome. Hybridization analyses and sequencing of the cDNA clones revealed that RNA present in infected liver and particles was the same polarity as that of the coding strand of the cDNAs; in other words, the virus genome is a positive or plus-strand RNA genome. EP Publication 318,216 (Houghton et al.) disclose partial genomic sequences of HCV-1, and teach recombinant DNA methods of cloning and expressing HCV sequences and HCV polypeptides, techniques of HCV immunodiagnostics, HCV probe diagnostic techniques, anti-HCV antibodies, and methods of isolating new HCV sequences. Houghton et al. also disclose additional HCV sequences and teach application of these sequences and polypeptides in immunodiagnostics, probe diagnostics, anti-HCV antibody production, PCR technology and recombinant DNA technology. The concept of using antisense polynucleotides as inhibitors of viral replication is disclosed, but no specific targets are taught. Oligomer probes and primers based on the sequences disclosed are also provided. EP Publication 419,182 (Miyamura et al.) discloses new HCV isolates J1 and J7 and use of sequences distinct from HCV-1 sequences for screens and diagnostics.
The only treatment regimen shown to be effective for the treatment of chronic NANBH is interferon-&agr;. Most NANBH patients show an improvement of clinical symptoms during interferon treatment, but relapse is observed in at least half of patients when treatment is interrupted. Significant improvements in antiviral therapy are therefore greatly desired.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide oligonucleotides which are capable of hybridizing with RNA of HCV to inhibit the synthesis or function of said RNA.
It is another object of this invention to provide oligonucleotides which are capable of hybridizing with RNA of HCV to inhibit replication of the virus.
It is a further object to provide oligonucleotides which can modulate the expression of HCV through antisense interaction with viral RNA.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide methods of prophylaxis, diagnostics and therapeutics for acute or chronic HCV infection.
A further object of this invention is to provide methods of prophylaxis, diagnostics and therapeutics for HCV-associated diseases.
Methods, materials and kits for detecting the presence or absence of HCV or HCV RNA in a sample suspected of containing it are further objects of the invention.
These and other objects will become apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of the instant specification and appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, compositions and methods for modulating the effects of HCV infection are provided. Oligonucleotides complementary to, and specifically hybridizable with, selected sequences of HCV RNA are provided. The HCV 5′ end hairpin loop, 5′ end 6-base-pair repeats, 5′ end untranslated region, polyprotein translation initiation codon, ORF 3 translation initiation codon, 3′-untranslated region, 3′ end palindrome region, R2 sequence and 3′ end hairpin loop are preferred targets. Methods for diagnosing or treating disease states by administering oligonucleotides, either alone or in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, to animals suspected of having HCV-associated diseases are also provided.
The relationship between the target RNA and oligonucleotides complementary to at least a portion of the target, and specifically hybridizable with it, is commonly denoted as “antisense”. The oligonucleotides are able to inhibit the function of viral RNA by interfering with its replication, transcription into mRNA, translation into protein, packaging into viral particles or any other activity necessary to its overall biological function. The failure of the RNA to perform all or part of its function results in failure of all or a portion of the normal life cycle of the virus.
It has been found that antisense oligonucleotides designed to target viruses can be effective in diminishing viral infection. It is preferred that oligonucleotides have between about 5 and about 50 nucleotide units. It is also preferred that the oligonucleotides be specifically hybridizable with the HCV 5′ end hairpin loop, 5′ end 6-base-pair repeats, 5′ end untranslated region, polyprotein translation initiation codon, ORF 3 translation initiation codon, 3′-untranslated region, 3′ end palindrome region, R2 sequence or 3′ end hairpin loop. The oligonucleotide may be modified to increase nuclease resistance and to increase its efficacy.
In accordance with preferred embodiments, the viral RNA is interfered with to an extent sufficient to inhibit HCV infection and/or HCV replication. Thus, oligonucleotides which are capable of interacting with portions of HCV RNA are comprehended. Animals suspected of having HCV-associated disease are contacted with an oligonucleotide made in accordance with this invention. In particular, the present invention is believed to be effective in the treatment of acute and chronic HCV infections and HCV-associated disease, either prophylactically or therapeutically.
It is to be expected that differences in the RNA of HCV from different
ISIS Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Licata & Tyrrell P.C.
Wang Andrew
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