OGX011

OGX011, also known as asendin, is an investigational drug that has been studied for the treatment of various cancers. It is a second-generation antisense oligonucleotide designed to target the messenger RNA (mRNA) of survivin. Survivin is a protein that plays a role in inhibiting apoptosis, a process of programmed cell death, and is often overexpressed in cancer cells, contributing to tumor growth and resistance to therapy.

The mechanism of action for OGX011 involves binding to the survivin mRNA, preventing its translation into the survivin protein. By inhibiting survivin production, OGX011 aims to re-sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy and radiation, and potentially induce apoptosis. Clinical trials have explored the use of OGX011 in combination with standard treatments for conditions such as castration-resistant prostate cancer and urothelial carcinoma. While early studies showed promise, further research and larger clinical trials have been conducted to establish its efficacy and safety profile. The development of OGX011 is ongoing, with ongoing investigations into its potential applications in oncology.