Abstract 1646: In vivo target validation in orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma model using formulated siRNA

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and its incidence continues to increase. Although there are approved therapies for HCC, the prognosis remains poor. The 5-year survival rate is < 5%. Nucleic acid-based therapeutics such as RNAi may improve patient outcome. Nevertheless, target identification/validation for HCC and delivery of siRNA are major challenges facing the development of HCC-specific RNAi based therapeutics. To enable target validation in vivo using RNAi, we have developed nanolipid siRNA formulations for the in vivo delivery of siRNA to orthotopic tumors. PK/PD studies in model systems demonstrate that up to 80% knockdown of target protein is achievable within tumors and that significant knockdown persists for at least 10 days following a single dose of formulated siRNA. Efficacy studies using similar formulations of siRNAs against potential HCC tumor targets, including mTOR, will be presented. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1646. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1646