Apes and ApoB: systemic silencing

As we know, RNAi-based therapeutics harness an endogenous regulatory mechanism in which small dsRNA molecules, or siRNAs, bind to and mediate the destruction of specific mRNA molecules, preventing their translation into protein. Despite its great potential, moving siRNA forward into the clinic is beset by problems with siRNA stability, in vivo delivery and concerns regarding loss of specificity and interferon response. Current siRNA-based drugs in clinical development rely on direct delivery to the diseased tissue (by injection, for example). Until now, few studies have reported successful systemic siRNA delivery even in rodent models, and strategies to achieve this are highly sought after. In this study, two collaborating groups targeted a clinically relevant gene, apolipoprotein B (APOB), in a non-human primate using systemically delivered siRNA.

siRNA has the potential to target molecules that conventional therapeutics cannot reach, since it acts at the mRNA level. One such target is APOB, a component of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is involved in cholesterol transport and metabolism, and is linked with various coronary diseases. Conventional drugs are available, but suffer from variable response and delayed efficacy; new strategies to reduce LDL are therefore in demand, making APOB an important target.

Following previous work, in which APOB was successfully silenced in rodents, the researchers set out to translate this strategy to a more clinically relevant model, the cynomolgus monkey. Importantly, to achieve selective and efficient delivery to the liver, where APOB RNA is synthesized, siRNA was encapsulated into small stable nucleic acid–lipid particles (SNALP), which remain stable in the bloodstream and are readily taken up by liver cells. Beginning as early as 24 hours after a single intravenous dose of siRNA, a drop in APOB protein, LDL and cholesterol levels lasting at least 11 days was observed. This was associated with a 90% reduction in APOB mRNA levels in the liver that was shown to be mediated by RNAi. Interestingly, the gene-silencing effect was both stronger and longer-lasting than had been predicted from rodent studies — an early indication of some potentially useful therapeutic features of this agent.

No evidence of serious toxicity was observed; however, longer-term and more detailed safety evaluations will clearly be required before this technology can be transferred to the clinic. Nevertheless, this study represents a crucial step forward in the application of RNAi-based therapeutics, demonstrating the potential for siRNA to be delivered systemically and therefore opening up the range of diseases that could be tackled using this technology.

Message posted by: Simon Chandler