Oligonucleotide Therapy for Hematological Malignancies

Abstract
We have studied the incorporation of various oligonucleotides (oligos) in liposomes. Some of these oligos are hydrophilic while others are lipophilic. Typically, the lipophilic oligos were incorporated at a higher efficiency than the hydrophilic oligos. Nonetheless, liposomes could increase the intracellular delivery of both of these types of oligos. Liposomal antisense oligos could inhibit leukemic and lymphoma cell proliferation by selectively inhibiting the production of the target protein. Since liposomes are mainly distributed in the liver, spleen and bone marrow which are the major organs of leukemic and lymphoma disease manifestation, liposomal antisense oligos may be clinically applicable for treating these hematological malignancies.