5-fluorouracil + microRNA-15a

5-fluorouracil + microRNA-15a is an experimental, multi-targeted therapeutic molecule created by chemically incorporating the antimetabolite 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) into the guide strand of the tumor-suppressive microRNA-15a (miR-15a). This modification strategy replaces uracil bases with 5-FU to enhance intracellular stability and combine two distinct mechanisms of action: the cytotoxic effects of 5-FU (inhibition of thymidylate synthase and DNA/RNA incorporation) and the gene-silencing capabilities of miR-15a. miR-15a naturally targets pro-survival and oncogenic proteins, specifically YAP1 and BCL-2. Preclinical research indicates that 5-FU-miR-15a is effective in reducing the activation of pancreatic stellate cells, thereby addressing pancreatic fibrosis, and shows potent anti-tumor activity in models of pancreatic, colorectal, and breast cancers.

Other names

5-FU-modified miR-15a5-fluorouracil-incorporated microRNA-15a