Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to methods for treating cancer by administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a nucleic acid molecule that is directed against a gene encoding mouse double minute 1 homolog (MDM1), mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2), mouse double minute 3 homolog (MDM3), mouse double minute 4 homolog (MDM4) or V-myc myelocytomatosis viral related oncogene (MYCN) for treating cancer. Further aspects of the invention relate to nucleic acid molecules and compositions comprising nucleic acid molecules.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to various PCSK9 RNAi constructs with gene silencing activities, and uses thereof. The construct has a double-stranded region of 19-49 nucleotides, preferably 25, 26, or 27 nucleotides, and preferably blunt-ended. The construct has selective minimal modifications to confer an optimal balance of biological activity, toxicity, stability, and target gene specificity. The sense strand may be modified such that the construct is not cleaved by Dicer or other RNAse III, and the entire length of the antisense strand is loaded into RISC. In addition, the antisense strand may also be modified by 2?-O-methyl groups at the 2nd 5?-end nucleotide to greatly reduce off-target silencing. The constructs of the invention largely avoid the interferon response and sequence-independent apoptosis in mammalian cells, exhibits better serum stability, and enhanced target specificity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to RNAi constructs with improved tissue and cellular uptake characteristics and methods of use of these compounds in dermal and fibrotic applications. Aspects of the invention provide nucleic acid molecules for the prophylactic treatment of wounding to reduce scarring. Herein, it is demonstrated that a specific nucleic acid molecule, RXI-109 (targeting connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)), given prophylactically, reduces scarring during wound healing.

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

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to RNAi constructs with minimal double-stranded regions, and their use in gene silencing. RNAi constructs associated with the invention include a double stranded region of 8-14 nucleotides and a variety of chemical modifications, and are highly effective in gene silencing.

Abstract: RNAi constructs directed to MAP4K4 that demonstrate unexpectedly high gene silencing activities, and uses thereof are disclosed. The blunt-ended constructs have a double-stranded region of 19-49 nucleotides. The constructs have selective minimal modifications to confer an optimal balance of biological activity, toxicity, stability, and target gene specificity. For example, the strands may be modified (e.g., one or both ends of the sense strand is modified by 2?-O-methyl groups), such that the construct is not cleaved by Dicer or other RNAse III, the antisense strand may also be modified by a 2?-O-methyl group at the penultimate 5?-end nucleotide to greatly reduce off-target silencing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to RNAi constructs with minimal double-stranded regions, and their use in gene silencing. RNAi constructs associated with the invention include a double stranded region of 8-14 nucleotides and a variety of chemical modifications, and are highly effective in gene silencing.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a particulate delivery system for delivering an RNAi construct to phagocytic cells such as macrophages, comprising various configurations of a complex comprising a phagocytic cell-targeting moiety and an RNAi construct. The invention further provides methods of making the delivery system, and their uses, such as treating phagocytic cell-associated disease conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to RNAi constructs with minimal double-stranded regions, and their use in gene silencing. RNAi constructs associated with the invention include a double stranded region of 8-14 nucleotides and a variety of chemical modifications, and are highly effective in gene silencing.

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

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to RNAi constructs and their use in gene silencing. RNAi constructs associated with the invention contain a double stranded region connected to a single stranded region of phosphorothioate modified nucleotides.

Abstract: RNAi constructs directed to MAP4K4 that demonstrate unexpectedly high gene silencing activities, and uses thereof are disclosed. The blunt-ended constructs have a double-stranded region of 19-49 nucleotides. The constructs have selective minimal modifications to confer an optimal balance of biological activity, toxicity, stability, and target gene specificity. For example, the strands may be modified (e.g., one or both ends of the sense strand is modified by 2?-O-methyl groups), such that the construct is not cleaved by Dicer or other RNAse III, the antisense strand may also be modified by a 2?-O-methyl group at the penultimate 5?-end nucleotide to greatly reduce off-target silencing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to RNAi constructs with minimal double-stranded regions, and their use in gene silencing. RNAi constructs associated with the invention include a double stranded region of 8-14 nucleotides and a variety of chemical modifications, and are highly effective in gene silencing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a particulate delivery system for delivering an RNAi construct to phagocytic cells such as macrophages, comprising various configurations of a complex comprising a phagocytic cell-targeting moiety and an RNAi construct. The invention further provides methods of making the delivery system, and their uses, such as treating phagocytic cell-associated disease conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to RNAi constructs with minimal double-stranded regions, and their use in gene silencing. RNAi constructs associated with the invention include a double stranded region of 8-14 nucleotides and a variety of chemical modifications, and are highly effective in gene silencing. The RNAi constructs may be, for instance, miRNA constructs that are miRNA modulators.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved double-stranded RNAi constructs (sometimes referred to as “solo-rxRNA”) and uses thereof. The construct comprises a structure formed in some aspects of the invention by two identical single-stranded polynucleotides, with the structure having two double-stranded stem regions (each having less than 21 base pairs) and a loop or bulge having about 4 to 11 nucleotides on each strand. The construct is resistant to cleavage by Dicer or other Dicer-like RNase III enzymes and is capable of being loaded into a RISC complex to effect RNA interference. In addition, the nucleotides of the present hairpin constructs may be modified to greatly enhance functionality, such as stability and specificity.