NCIt definition : A locked nucleic acid (LNA) antisense oligonucleotide targeting survivin mRNA, with
potential antineoplastic activity. EZN-3042 hybridizes to survivin mRNA, thereby blocking
translation of survivin protein and inhibiting survivin-induced anti-apoptotic activity
and promoting tumor cell apoptosis in survivin-overexpressing tumor cells. Survivin,
a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family expressed during embryonic development,
is upregulated in a variety of human cancers while absent in most normal adult cells;
its expression in tumors is associated with a more aggressive phenotype, decreased
survival, and increased resistance to chemotherapy. LNAs contain a methylene bridge
linking 2'-oxygen and 4'-carbon of ribose sugar rings, thereby increasing their stability
and decreasing degradation.;
Semantic type(s)