Silent but deadly delivery

A team of U.S. researchers has combined immunostimulatory CpG oligonucleotides with small interfering RNA to attack the ability of cancer cells to avoid immune system detection. The group has shown proof of concept in mice¹ and thinks the approach overcomes key hurdles in using the conjugate's components as stand-alone therapeutics-the low potency of CpG oligonucleotides and the challenges of getting siRNAs exclusively to cells involved in a disease process.

CpG oligonucleotides agonize toll-like receptors (TLRs) and activate immune cells. They are readily internalized by antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages and ...