Challenges and Opportunities for Nucleic Acid Therapeutics

Nucleic Acid Ther. 2022 Feb;32(1):8-13. doi: 10.1089/nat.2021.0085. Epub 2021 Dec 17.

Abstract

After decades overcoming difficult problems, antisense oligonucleotide (ASO), duplex RNA (siRNA), and messenger RNA (mRNA) nucleic acid therapeutic strategies are finally demonstrating clinical benefits. This success presents new challenges. What goals remain for basic research? Will there be an explosion of clinical applications that benefit many patients with different diseases, or will success be restricted to diseases that are ideal for the application of current technologies? The aim of this perspective is to describe a selection of the major goals for the next decade.

Keywords: antisense; siRNA; therapeutic.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Oligonucleotides* / genetics
  • Oligonucleotides* / therapeutic use
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense* / genetics
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense* / therapeutic use
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / therapeutic use
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Oligonucleotides
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering