Compositions and methods for the delivery of oligonucleotides via the alimentary canal

• Main Authors: HARDEE GREG, TENG CHING-LEOU
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 03.05.2005
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: BEER; BIOCHEMISTRY; CHEMISTRY; COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL ORENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES; CULTURE MEDIA; DERIVATIVES THEREOF; ENZYMOLOGY; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEICACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; METALLURGY; MICROBIOLOGY; MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; NUCLEIC ACIDS; NUCLEOSIDES; NUCLEOTIDES; ORGANIC CHEMISTRY; PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL, OR TOILET PURPOSES; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS ORMEDICINAL PREPARATIONS; SPIRITS; SUGARS; VINEGAR; WINE

The present invention relates to compositions and methods which enhance the transport of nucleic acids, especially oligonucleotides at various sites in the alimentary canal of an animal. The methods and compositions enhance the transport of oligonucleotides across the mucosa of the alimentary canal via the use of one or more penetration enhancers. The invention features the use of various fatty acids, bile salts, chelating agents and other penetration enhancers, as well as carrier compounds, to enhance the stability of nucleic acids and/or their transport across and/or into cells of the alimentary canal. In one preferred embodiment, the compositions and methods of the invention are utilized to effect the oral delivery of an antisense oligonucleotide to an animal in order to modulate the expression of a gene in the animal for investigative, therapeutic or prophylactic purposes.