| abstract |
The present invention provides improved oligomeric compound, in particular oligonucleotide compounds, and methods for modulating the expression of the Bcl-2 gene in humans. In particular, this invention relates to oligomeric compounds of 10-30 nucleobases in length which comprise a target binding domain that is specifically hybridizable to a region ranging from base position No. 1459 (5′) to No. 1476 (3′) of the human Bcl-2 mRNA, said target binding domain having the formula: 5′-[(DNA/RNA) 0-1 -(LNA/LNA*) 2-7 -(DNA/RNA/LNA*) 4-14 -(LNA/LNA*) 2-7 -(DNA/RNA) 0-1 ]-3′ and said target binding domain comprising at least two LNA nucleotides or LNA analogue nucleotides linked by a phosphorothioate group (—O—P(O,S)—O—). In particular the oligo is predominantly or fully thiolated. The invention also provides the use of such oligomers or conjugates or chimera for the treatment of various diseases associated with the expression of the Bcl-2 gene, such as cancer. |