Antisense therapy, advantages

NADs as therapies for HIV/AIDS. Although inhibition of HIV replication did not result solely from antisense effects, the reports certainly impressed researchers. Because of their superior chemical, biochemical, and biological advantages, OPTs have been studied to a greater extent than other NADs and have more frequently found their way into clinical trials. OPTs, like OMPs, are mixtures of stereoisomers that can adversely affect antisense activity. It was later determined that the stereo-controlled synthesis of OPTs might produce more efficacious antisense ODNs. Dr. Wojciech Stec of the Polish Academy of Science developed the first method for stereospecific synthesis of OPTs and reported that their biological characteristic varies depending on which stereoisomers is used. Unfortunately, all clinical trials have utilized mixtures of stereoisomers. 

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