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NCI Drug Dictionary


oblimersen sodium 
The sodium salt of a phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotide targeted to the initiation codon region of mRNA for the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2. Oblimersen inhibits Bcl-2 mRNA translation, which may result in decreased expression of the Bcl-2 protein and tumor cell apoptosis. This agent may enhance the efficacy of standard cytotoxic chemotherapy. The anti-apoptotic bcl-2 protein is an integral outer mitochondrial membrane protein (OMMP) that is overexpressed in some cancer cell types and is linked to tumor drug resistance. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
Synonyms:augmerosen
G3139 bcl-2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide
US brand name:Genasense
Code name:G3139