Frontiers in Pharmacology (Dec 2022)

Triplex-forming oligonucleotides as an anti-gene technique for cancer therapy

  • Chun Li,
  • Zunzhen Zhou,
  • Chao Ren,
  • Yi Deng,
  • Feng Peng,
  • Qiongfen Wang,
  • Hong Zhang,
  • Yuan Jiang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.1007723
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

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Triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) can bind to the major groove of double-stranded DNA with high specificity and affinity and inhibit gene expression. Triplex-forming oligonucleotides have gained prominence because of their potential applications in antigene therapy. In particular, the target specificity of triplex-forming oligonucleotides combined with their ability to suppress oncogene expression has driven their development as anti-cancer agents. So far, triplex-forming oligonucleotides have not been used for clinical treatment and seem to be gradually snubbed in recent years. But triplex-forming oligonucleotides still represent an approach to down-regulate the expression of the target gene and a carrier of active substances. Therefore, in the present review, we will introduce the characteristics of triplex-forming oligonucleotides and their anti-cancer research progress. Then, we will discuss the challenges in their application.

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