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news.Israel-based Rosetta Genomics has said that in collaboration with Isis Pharmaceuticals, it has initiated in vivo studies in a microRNA-based liver cancer therapeutic program.
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The project, combining Isis’ know-how and IP in antisense chemistry and Rosetta Genomics’ knowhow and proprietary microRNA platform technologies, is the companies’ attempt at harnessing microRNAs’ role as master switches of the human body to develop a treatment for cancer.
Out of hundreds of potential microRNAs screened and tested, eight have been identified to lead to a decrease in liver cancer cell growth when inhibited. These microRNAs will be further tested during the in vivo studies.
Amir Avniel, president and CEO of Rosetta, said: “Rosetta and Isis decided two years ago to focus on developing a microRNA-based drug for this deadly cancer. We are proud to present these results, demonstrating that microRNAs play a key role in liver cancer, and that targeting them in vitro leads to a decrease in cancer cell growth. We look forward to starting the in vivo studies.”