MR42

MR42 is a bispecific antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) designed to simultaneously target the messenger RNA (mRNA) of BCL-2, an anti-apoptotic protein, and the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR). Developed primarily for the treatment of prostate cancer, MR42 functions by inhibiting the expression of these two key survival and growth-promoting proteins. A unique feature of MR42 is its intrastrand base pair complementarity, which allows it to form siRNA-like double-stranded regions. These regions act as interferon inducers, stimulating an endogenous antiviral-like defense mechanism in prostate cancer cells (such as LNCaP cells). This induction leads to increased expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and cell surface differentiation antigens, specifically Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA). By enhancing PSMA expression, MR42 may not only inhibit tumor growth directly but also sensitize prostate cancer cells to immunotherapy or vaccines directed against tumor-associated surface antigens.