Disclosed are compositions and methods related to RNA interference (RNAi) and the use of RNAi active sequence for treating diseases and disorders. Particular disclosed are toxic RNAi active sequences such as siRNA and shRNA for killing cancer cells. The disclosed toxic RNAi active sequences typically include trinucleotide repeats and preferentially target the expression of multiple essential genes for cell survival and/or growth.

The invention generally relates to isolated nucleic acid ligands that are neutral under physiological conditions.

The invention relates to an artificial nucleic acid molecule comprising at least one 5UTR element which is derived from a TOP gene, at least one open reading frame, and preferably at least one histone stem-loop. Optionally the artificial nucleic acid molecule may further comprise, e.g. a poly(A)sequence, a poyladenylation signal, and/or a 3UTR. The invention further relates to the use of such an artificial nucleic acid molecule in gene therapy and/or genetic vaccination.

The present disclosure provides compositions comprising an antisense oligonucleotide and one or more excipients that modulates viscosity, turbidity or both viscosity and turbidity. In certain embodiments, compositions comprising an antisense oligonucleotide and one or more excipients having low viscosity are provided. In certain embodiments, compositions comprising an antisense oligonucleotide and one or more excipients having low turbidity are provided. In certain embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions comprising an antisense oligonucleotide and one or more excipients having low viscosity and turbidity are provided.

The invention relates to modified siRNA compounds which down-regulate target gene expression, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and to methods of treating and/or preventing the incidence or severity of various diseases or conditions associated with the genes and/or symptoms associated with such diseases or conditions.

What is described is a method for treating a fibrotic disease by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a drug carrier, which comprises a lipid and a retinoid, and a double-stranded nucleic acid molecule, which comprises an antisense sequence to mRNA encoding human hsp47.

The invention relates to an artificial nucleic acid molecule comprising at least one 5UTR element which is derived from a TOP gene, at least one open reading frame, and preferably at least one histone stem-loop. Optionally the artificial nucleic acid molecule may further comprise, e.g. a poly(A)sequence, a poyladenylation signal, and/or a 3UTR. The invention further relates to the use of such an artificial nucleic acid molecule in gene therapy and/or genetic vaccination.

The present invention provides novel bicyclic carbocyclic nucleosides and oligomeric compounds prepared therefrom. Incorporation of one or more of the bicyclic carbocyclic nucleosides into an oligomeric compound is expected to enhance one or more properties of the oligomeric compound. In certain embodiments, the oligomeric compounds provided herein hybridize to a portion of a target RNA resulting in modulation of normal function of the target RNA. In certain embodiments, bicyclic carbocyclic nucleosides are provided as monomers for use as antivirals.

Chemically modified small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that include both phosphorodithioate modifications (PS2-RNA) and 2-O-methyl modifications (MePS2) provide improved RNA silencing. Specific chemically modified siRNA that show enhanced silencing of RNAs involved in resistance to chemotherapeutic agents are provided.

Disclosed are modified cytosine bases that provide enhanced base-pairing affinity for guanine bases in polynucleotide hybridization complexes. Also disclosed are polynucleotide oligomers, polynucleotide hybridization complexes that comprise such modified cytosine bases. Also disclosed are various methods of use. For example, in some embodiments, modified polynucleotide oligomers disclosed herein can be used as primers and probes for nucleic acid amplification and/or detection.