Artificially constructed nucleic acids have received great attention as potential immunotherapeutic agents in recent years due to various factors, including their ability to generate a stable innate immune response. Now, researchers from the University of Tokyo have designed an artificial DNA (known as oncolytic hairpins or oHPs) which targets a specific mi-RNA that is overexpressed in cancer cells and kills them. This study is the first to overcome the issue of the non-specificity of nucleic acid-based therapy and presents a promising new class of therapeutics against cancer. However, a detailed analysis of the therapy’s efficacy, toxicity, and the best administration methods is needed.
Do you think nucleic acid-based therapeutics can be an effective tool against cancer? ##Reference## Morihiro K, Osumi H, Morita S, Hattori T, Baba M, Harada N, Ohashi R, Okamoto A. Oncolytic…
