LFPRLR splice modulating oligomer

LFPRLR splice modulating oligomer (SMO) is a patented, research-stage splice-modulating DNA morpholino oligomer designed to selectively knock down the long isoform of the prolactin receptor (LFPRLR) while preserving signaling from the short, differentiation-promoting and pro-apoptotic isoforms. Developed by researchers at the University of California, Riverside, the oligomer is linked to octaguanidine dendrimers to facilitate in vivo cell and tissue penetration. By preventing the inclusion of exon 10 into the mature mRNA, the SMO alters splicing to reduce the LFPRLR-mediated pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic signaling. It is being investigated for the treatment of breast cancer, other prolactin-driven malignancies (such as prostate, ovarian, and blood cancers), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Other names

LFPRLR SMOLFPRLR splice-modulating oligomer