Innovations in the use of antisense oligonucleotides.

The use of antisense oligonucleotides for controlling genetic expression has recently received widespread attention, especially as a new class of potential chemotherapeutic agents. This coupled with the urgency of developing new effective therapies for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has led to various antisense studies dealing with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which are briefly reviewed here. Anti-HIV and other biological activities found for oligonucleotides suggest that sequence-specific and sequence-nonspecific mechanisms of action can be found. Recent developments in oligonucleotide analogue chemistry and relevant analytical methods are also described, including fast-data finder technology.