RNA interference in skin indications

• US 9,303,259 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2013
• Issued: 04/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp.
• Original Assignee: Rxi Pharmaceuticals Corporation
• Inventors: Khvorova, Anastasia, Salomon, William, Kamens, Joanne, Samarsky, Dmitry, Woolf, Tod M., Pavco, Pamela A., Cardia, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Chong, Kimberly
• Application Number:
  US14/104,450
• Publication Number:
  US 20140315974A1
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 1/16 for liver or gallbladder disorders, e.g. hepatoprotective agents, cholagogues, litholytics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 11/00 Drugs for disorders of the respiratory system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 13/12 of the kidneys
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 17/00 Drugs for dermatological disorders
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 17/02 for treating wounds, ulcers, burns, scars, keloids, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 21/00 Drugs for disorders of the muscular or neuromuscular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/02 Ophthalmic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 29/00 Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/12 Antivirals
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 35/00 Antineoplastic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 37/06 Immunosuppressants, e.g. drugs for graft rejection
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/00 Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/111 General methods applicable to biologically active non-coding nucleic acids
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/113 Non-coding nucleic acids modulating the expression of genes, e.g. antisense oligonucleotides; Antisense DNA or RNA; Triplex- forming oligonucleotides; Catalytic nucleic acids, e.g. ribozymes; Nucleic acids used in co-suppression or gene silencing when used in plants C12N15/8218
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/1136 against growth factors, growth regulators, cytokines, lymphokines or hormones
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/1137 against enzymes viral enzymes C12N15/1131; receptors C12N15/1138
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2310/14 interfering N.A.
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2310/315 Phosphorothioates
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2310/321 2'-O-R Modification
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2310/322 : 2'-R Modification
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2310/3231 : having an additional ring, e.g. LNA, ENA
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2310/3341 : 5-Methylcytosine
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2310/3515 : Lipophilic moiety, e.g. cholesterol
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2310/3519 : Fusion with another nucleic acid
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2310/3521 : Methyl
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2320/32 : Special delivery means, e.g. tissue-specific
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2320/51 : modulating the chemical stability, e.g. nuclease-resistance
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2320/53 : reducing unwanted side-effects

Abstract

The present invention relates to RNAi constructs with improved tissue and cellular uptake characteristics and methods of use of these compounds in dermal applications.

Claims

1. A method for treating compromised skin, the method comprising, administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount for treating compromised skin of a double stranded nucleic acid molecule comprising a guide strand, with a minimal length of 16 nucleotides, and a passenger strand forming a double stranded nucleic acid molecule, having a double stranded region and a single stranded region, the double stranded region having 8-15 nucleotides in length, the single stranded region having 4-12 nucleotides in length, wherein position 1 of the guide strand is 5′

phosphorylated or has a 2′

O-methyl modification, wherein the passenger strand is linked to a lipophilic group, wherein at least 40% of the nucleotides of the double stranded nucleic acid are modified, and wherein the double stranded nucleic acid molecule has one end that is blunt or includes a one nucleotide overhang, wherein the double stranded nucleic acid molecule is directed against a gene encoding Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF), and wherein treating compromised skin comprises preventing, reducing, or inhibiting dermal scarring in compromised skin.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject has a wound.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the wound is a result of elective surgery.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the double stranded nucleic acid molecule is administered on the skin of the subject in need thereof.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the nucleic acid molecule is administered by local injection.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the single stranded region contains 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 phosphorothioate modifications.

7. A method for treating compromised skin, the method comprising, administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount for treating compromised skin of a double stranded nucleic acid molecule comprising a guide strand, with a minimal length of 16 nucleotides, and a passenger strand forming a double stranded nucleic acid molecule, having a double stranded region and a single stranded region, the double stranded region having 8-15 nucleotides in length, the single stranded region having 4-12 nucleotides in length, wherein position 1 of the guide strand is 5′

phosphorylated or has a 2′

O-methyl modification, wherein at least 40% of the nucleotides of the double stranded nucleic acid are modified, and wherein the double stranded nucleic acid molecule has one end that is blunt or includes a one nucleotide overhang, wherein the double stranded nucleic acid molecule is directed against a gene encoding Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF), and wherein treating compromised skin comprises preventing, reducing, or inhibiting dermal scarring in compromised skin.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the subject has a wound.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the wound is a result of elective surgery.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the double stranded nucleic acid molecule is administered on the skin of the subject in need thereof.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the nucleic acid molecule is administered by local injection.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the single stranded region contains 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 phosphorothioate modifications.