NCIt definition : A second-generation antisense oligonucleotide targeting heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27)
with potential antitumor and chemosensitizing activities. Apatorsen suppresses tumor
cell expression of Hsp27, which may induce tumor cell apoptosis and enhance tumor
cell sensitivity to cytotoxic agents. Hsp27, a chaperone belonging to the small heat
shock protein (sHsp) group of proteins, is a cytoprotective protein that supports
cell survival under conditions of stress; it has been found to be over-expressed in
a variety of human cancers.;