The Sound of Evolution
Fomivirsen
Mechanism of action:
Fomivirsen is an antisense oligonucleotide. Fomivirsen is a short oligonucleotide complementary to the mRNA of the immediate early gene IE2 of cytomegalovirus (CMV). When fomivirsen hybridizes with viral mRNA to form a double-stranded structure, it inhibits translation of that mRNA, such as by interfering with ribosomal translation, and may also promote RNase H-mediated cleavage of the RNA strand, thereby preventing the production of cytomegalovirus proteins.
Reference(s):
1. Geary RS et al. (2002). Fomivirsen: clinical pharmacology and potential drug interactions. Clin Pharmacokinet.
2. de Smet MD et al. (1999). Fomivirsen – a phosphorothioate oligonucleotide for the treatment of CMV retinitis. Ocul Immunol Inflamm.
3. Orr RM et al. (2001). Technology evaluation: fomivirsen, Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc/CIBA Vision. Curr Opin Mol Ther.