Modulation of dystrophia myotonica-protein kinase (DMPK) expression

This invention was made with government support under NS072323 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The government has certain rights in the invention.

The present application is being filed along with a Sequence Listing in electronic format. The Sequence Listing is provided as a file entitled 2022 Jul. 19_01135-0068-06US ST26.xml created Jul. 19, 2022, which is 1,114,714 bytes in size. The information in the electronic format of the sequence listing is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Provided herein are methods, compounds, and compositions for reducing expression of DMPK mRNA and protein in an animal. Also, provided herein are methods, compounds, and compositions comprising a DMPK inhibitor for preferentially reducing CUGexp DMPK RNA, reducing myotonia, or reducing spliceopathy in an animal. Such methods, compounds, and compositions are useful, for example, to treat, prevent, or ameliorate type 1 myotonic dystrophy (DM1) in an animal.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults with an estimated frequency of 1 in 7,500 (Harper P S., Myotonic Dystrophy. London: W. B. Saunders Company; 2001). DM1 is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by expansion of a non-coding CTG repeat in DMPK1. DMPK1 is a gene encoding a cytosolic serine/threonine kinase (Brook J D, et al., Cell., 1992, 68 (4): 799-808). The physiologic functions and substrates of this kinase have not been fully determined. The expanded CTG repeat is located in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of DMPK1. This mutation leads to RNA dominance, a process in which expression of RNA containing an expanded CUG repeat (CUGexp) induces cell dysfunction (Osborne R J and Thornton CA., Human Molecular Genetics., 2006, 15 (2): R162-R169).

The DMPK gene normally has 5-37 CTG repeats in the 3′ untranslated region. In myotonic dystrophy type 1, this number is significantly expanded and is, for example, in the range of 50 to greater than 3,500 (Harper, Myotonic Dystrophy (Saunders, London, ed. 3, 2001); Annu. Rev. Neurosci. 29:259, 2006; EMBO J. 19:4439, 2000; Curr Opin Neurol. 20:572, 2007).

The CUGexp tract interacts with RNA binding proteins including muscleblind-like (MBNL) protein, a splicing factor, and causes the mutant transcript to be retained in nuclear foci. The toxicity of this RNA stems from sequestration of RNA binding proteins and activation of signaling pathways. Studies in animal models have shown that phenotypes of DM1 can be reversed if toxicity of CUGexp RNA is reduced (Wheeler T M, et al., Science., 2009, 325 (5938): 336-339; Mulders S A, et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA., 2009, 106 (33): 13915-13920).

In DM1, skeletal muscle is the most severely affected tissue, but the disease also has important effects on cardiac and smooth muscle, ocular lens, and brain. The cranial, distal limb, and diaphragm muscles are preferentially affected. Manual dexterity is compromised early, which causes several decades of severe disability. The median age at death is 55 years, usually from respiratory failure (de Die-Smulders C E, et al., Brain., 1998, 121 (Pt 8): 1557-1563).

Antisense technology is emerging as an effective means for modulating expression of certain gene products and may therefore prove to be uniquely useful in a number of therapeutic, diagnostic, and research applications for the modulation of DMPK1. Intramuscular injection of fully modified oligonucleotides targeting with the CAG-repeat were shown in mice to block formation of CUGexp-MBNL1 complexes, disperse nuclear foci of CUGexp transcripts, enhance the nucleocytoplasmic transport and translation of CUGexp transcripts, release MBNL proteins to the nucleoplasm, normalize alternative splicing of MBNL-dependent exons, and eliminate myotonia in CUGexp-expressing transgenic mice (Wheeler T M, et al., Science., 2009, 325 (5938): 336-339; WO2008/036406).

Presently there is no treatment that can modify the course of DM1. The burden of disease, therefore, is significant. It is, therefore, an object herein to provide compounds, compositions, and methods for treating DM1

Provided herein are methods, compounds, and compositions for inhibiting expression of DMPK and treating, preventing, delaying or ameliorating a DMPK related disease and or a symptom thereof. In certain embodiments, the compounds and compositions inhibit mutant DMPK or CUGexp DMPK.

Certain embodiments provide a method of reducing DMPK expression in an animal comprising administering to the animal a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide as further described herein targeted to DMPK.

Certain embodiments provide a method of preferentially reducing CUGexp DMPK, reducing myotonia, or reducing spliceopathy in an animal comprising administering to the animal a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide, as further described herein, targeted to CUGexp DMPK. CUGexp DMPK transcripts are believed to be particularly sensitive to antisense knockdown via nuclear ribonucleases, because of their longer residence time in the nucleus, and this sensitivity is thought to permit effective antisense inhibition of CUGexp DMPK transcripts in relevant tissues such as muscle despite the biodistribution barriers to tissue uptake of antisense oligonucleotides. Antisense mechanisms that do not elicit cleavage via nuclear ribonucleases, such as the CAG-repeat ASOs described in, for example, Wheeler T M, et al., Science., 2009, 325 (5938): 336-339 and WO2008/036406, do not provide the same therapeutic advantage.

Certain embodiments provide a method of treating an animal with type 1 myotonic dystrophy. In certain embodiments, the method includes administering to the animal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide as further described herein targeted to DMPK. In certain embodiments, the method includes identifying an animal with type 1 myotonic dystrophy.

Certain embodiments provide a method of treating, preventing, delaying, or ameliorating symptoms and outcomes associated with development of DM1 including muscle stiffness, myotonia, disabling distal weakness, weakness in face and jaw muscles, difficulty in swallowing, drooping of the eyelids (ptosis), weakness of neck muscles, weakness in arm and leg muscles, persistent muscle pain, hypersomnia, muscle wasting, dysphagia, respiratory insufficiency, irregular heartbeat, heart muscle damage, apathy, insulin resistance, and cataracts. Certain embodiments provide a method of treating, preventing, delaying, or ameliorating symptoms and outcomes associated with development of DM1 in children, including, developmental delays, learning problems, language and speech issues, and personality development issues.

Certain embodiments provide a method of administering an antisense oligonucleotide to counteract RNA dominance by directing the cleavage of pathogenic transcripts.

In certain embodiments, the DMPK has a sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. NM_001081560.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 1). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. NT_011109.15 truncated from nucleotides 18540696 to U.S. Pat. No. 18,555,106 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 2). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. NT 039413.7 truncated from nucleotides 16666001 to U.S. Pat. No. 16,681,000 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 3). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. NM_032418.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 4). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. AI007148.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 5). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. AI304033.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 6). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. BC024150.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 7). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. BC056615.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 8). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. BC075715.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 793). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. BU519245.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 794). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. CB247909.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 795). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. CX208906.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 796). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. CX732022.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 797). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. S60315.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 798). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. S60316.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 799). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. NM_001081562.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 800). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. NM_001100.3 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 801).

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. Herein, the use of the singular includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise. Herein, the use of “or” means “and/or” unless stated otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the term “including” as well as other forms, such as “includes” and “included”, is not limiting. Also, terms such as “element” or “component” encompass both elements and components comprising one unit and elements and components that comprise more than one subunit, unless specifically stated otherwise.

The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described. All documents, or portions of documents, cited in this application, including, but not limited to, patents, patent applications, articles, books, and treatises, are hereby expressly incorporated-by-reference for the portions of the document discussed herein, as well as in their entirety.

Unless specific definitions are provided, the nomenclature utilized in connection with, and the procedures and techniques of, analytical chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry, and medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry described herein are those well known and commonly used in the art. Standard techniques can be used for chemical synthesis, and chemical analysis. Where permitted, all patents, applications, published applications and other publications, GENBANK Accession Numbers and associated sequence information obtainable through databases such as National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and other data referred to throughout in the disclosure herein are incorporated by reference for the portions of the document discussed herein, as well as in their entirety.

Unless otherwise indicated, the following terms have the following meanings:

“2′-O-methoxyethyl” (also 2′-MOE and 2′-O(CH 2 ) 2 —OCH 3 ) refers to an O-methoxy-ethyl modification of the 2′ position of a furanosyl ring. A 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar is a modified sugar.

“2′-O-methoxyethyl nucleotide” means a nucleotide comprising a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar moiety.

“5-methylcytosine” means a cytosine modified with a methyl group attached to position 5. A 5-methylcytosine is a modified nucleobase.

“About” means within ±7% of a value. For example, if it is stated, “the compound affected at least 70% inhibition of DMPK”, it is implied that the DMPK levels are inhibited within a range of 63% and 77%.

“Active pharmaceutical agent” means the substance or substances in a pharmaceutical composition that provide a therapeutic benefit when administered to an individual. For example, in certain embodiments an antisense oligonucleotide targeted to DMPK is an active pharmaceutical agent.

“Active target region” or “target region” means a region to which one or more active antisense compounds is targeted. “Active antisense compounds” means antisense compounds that reduce target nucleic acid levels or protein levels.

“Administered concomitantly” refers to the co-administration of two agents in any manner in which the pharmacological effects of both are manifest in the patient at the same time. Concomitant administration does not require that both agents be administered in a single pharmaceutical composition, in the same dosage form, or by the same route of administration. The effects of both agents need not manifest themselves at the same time. The effects need only be overlapping for a period of time and need not be coextensive.

“Administering” means providing an agent to an animal, and includes, but is not limited to, administering by a medical professional and self-administering.

“Agent” means an active substance that can provide a therapeutic benefit when administered to an animal. “First Agent” means a therapeutic compound of the invention. For example, a first agent can be an antisense oligonucleotide targeting DMPK. “Second agent” means a second therapeutic compound of the invention (e.g. a second antisense oligonucleotide targeting DMPK) and/or a non-DMPK therapeutic compound.

“Amelioration” refers to a lessening of at least one indicator, sign, or symptom of an associated disease, disorder, or condition. The severity of indicators can be determined by subjective or objective measures, which are known to those skilled in the art.

“Animal” refers to a human or non-human animal, including, but not limited to, mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, cats, pigs, and non-human primates, including, but not limited to, monkeys and chimpanzees.

“Antisense activity” means any detectable or measurable activity attributable to the hybridization of an antisense compound to its target nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, antisense activity is a decrease in the amount or expression of a target nucleic acid or protein encoded by such target nucleic acid.

“Antisense compound” means an oligomeric compound that is capable of undergoing hybridization to a target nucleic acid through hydrogen bonding. Examples of antisense compounds include single-stranded and double-stranded compounds, such as, antisense oligonucleotides, siRNAs, shRNAs, snoRNAs, miRNAs, and satellite repeats.

“Antisense inhibition” means reduction of target nucleic acid levels or target protein levels in the presence of an antisense compound complementary to a target nucleic acid compared to target nucleic acid levels or target protein levels in the absence of the antisense compound.

“Antisense oligonucleotide” means a single-stranded oligonucleotide having a nucleobase sequence that permits hybridization to a corresponding region or segment of a target nucleic acid.

“Bicyclic sugar” means a furanosyl ring modified by the bridging of two non-geminal carbon ring atoms. A bicyclic sugar is a modified sugar.

“Bicyclic nucleic acid” or “BNA” refers to a nucleoside or nucleotide wherein the furanose portion of the nucleoside or nucleotide includes a bridge connecting two carbon atoms on the furanose ring, thereby forming a bicyclic ring system.

“Cap structure” or “terminal cap moiety” means chemical modifications, which have been incorporated at either terminus of an antisense compound.

“Chemically distinct region” refers to a region of an antisense compound that is in some way chemically different than another region of the same antisense compound. For example, a region having 2′-O-methoxyethyl nucleotides is chemically distinct from a region having nucleotides without 2′-O-methoxyethyl modifications.

“Chimeric antisense compound” means an antisense compound that has at least two chemically distinct regions.

“Co-administration” means administration of two or more agents to an individual. The two or more agents can be in a single pharmaceutical composition, or can be in separate pharmaceutical compositions. Each of the two or more agents can be administered through the same or different routes of administration. Co-administration encompasses parallel or sequential administration.

“Complementarity” means the capacity for pairing between nucleobases of a first nucleic acid and a second nucleic acid.

“Contiguous nucleobases” means nucleobases immediately adjacent to each other.

“CUGexp DMPK” means mutant DMPK RNA containing an expanded CUG repeat (CUGexp). The wild-type DMPK gene has 5-37 CTG repeats in the 3′ untranslated region. In a “CUGexp DMPK” (such as in a myotonic dystrophy type I patient) this number is significantly expanded and is, for example, in the range of 50 to greater than 3,500 (Harper, Myotonic Dystrophy (Saunders, London, ed. 3, 2001); Annu. Rev. Neurosci. 29:259, 2006; EMBO J. 19:4439, 2000; Curr Opin Neurol. 20:572, 2007).

“Diluent” means an ingredient in a composition that lacks pharmacological activity, but is pharmaceutically necessary or desirable. For example, the diluent in an injected composition can be a liquid, e.g. saline solution.

“DMPK” means any nucleic acid or protein of DMPK. DMPK can be a mutant DMPK including CUGexp DMPK nucleic acid.

“DMPK expression” means the level of mRNA transcribed from the gene encoding DMPK or the level of protein translated from the mRNA. DMPK expression can be determined by art known methods such as a Northern or Western blot.

“DMPK nucleic acid” means any nucleic acid encoding DMPK. For example, in certain embodiments, a DMPK nucleic acid includes a DNA sequence encoding DMPK, an RNA sequence transcribed from DNA encoding DMPK (including genomic DNA comprising introns and exons), and an mRNA or pre-mRNA sequence encoding DMPK. “DMPK mRNA” means an mRNA encoding a DMPK protein.

“Dose” means a specified quantity of a pharmaceutical agent provided in a single administration, or in a specified time period. In certain embodiments, a dose can be administered in one, two, or more boluses, tablets, or injections. For example, in certain embodiments where subcutaneous administration is desired, the desired dose requires a volume not easily accommodated by a single injection, therefore, two or more injections can be used to achieve the desired dose. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical agent is administered by infusion over an extended period of time or continuously. Doses can be stated as the amount of pharmaceutical agent per hour, day, week, or month.

“Effective amount” or “therapeutically effective amount” means the amount of active pharmaceutical agent sufficient to effectuate a desired physiological outcome in an individual in need of the agent. The effective amount can vary among individuals depending on the health and physical condition of the individual to be treated, the taxonomic group of the individuals to be treated, the formulation of the composition, assessment of the individual's medical condition, and other relevant factors.

“Fully complementary” or “100% complementary” means each nucleobase of a nucleobase sequence of a first nucleic acid has a complementary nucleobase in a second nucleobase sequence of a second nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, a first nucleic acid is an antisense compound and a target nucleic acid is a second nucleic acid.

“Gapmer” means a chimeric antisense compound in which an internal region having a plurality of nucleosides that support RNase H cleavage is positioned between external regions having one or more nucleosides, wherein the nucleosides comprising the internal region are chemically distinct from the nucleoside or nucleosides comprising the external regions. The internal region can be referred to as a “gap segment” and the external regions can be referred to as “wing segments.”

“Gap-widened” means a chimeric antisense compound having a gap segment of 12 or more contiguous 2′-deoxyribonucleosides positioned between and immediately adjacent to 5′ and 3′ wing segments having from one to six nucleosides.

“Hybridization” means the annealing of complementary nucleic acid molecules. In certain embodiments, complementary nucleic acid molecules include an antisense compound and a target nucleic acid.

“Identifying an animal with type 1 myotonic dystrophy” means identifying an animal having been diagnosed with a type 1 myotonic dystrophy, disorder or condition or identifying an animal predisposed to develop a type 1 myotonic dystrophy, disorder or condition. For example, individuals with a familial history can be predisposed to type 1 myotonic dystrophy, disorder or condition. Such identification can be accomplished by any method including evaluating an individual's medical history and standard clinical tests or assessments.

“Immediately adjacent” means there are no intervening elements between the immediately adjacent elements.

“Individual” means a human or non-human animal selected for treatment or therapy.

“Internucleoside linkage” refers to the chemical bond between nucleosides.

“Linked nucleosides” means adjacent nucleosides which are bonded or linked together by an internucleoside linkage.

“Mismatch” or “non-complementary nucleobase” refers to the case when a nucleobase of a first nucleic acid is not capable of pairing with the corresponding nucleobase of a second or target nucleic acid.

“Modified internucleoside linkage” refers to a substitution or any change from a naturally occurring internucleoside bond (i.e. a phosphodiester internucleoside bond).

“Modified nucleobase” refers to any nucleobase other than adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymidine, or uracil. An “unmodified nucleobase” means the purine bases adenine (A) and guanine (G), and the pyrimidine bases thymine (T), cytosine (C), and uracil (U).

“Modified nucleotide” means a nucleotide having, independently, a modified sugar moiety, modified internucleoside linkage, or modified nucleobase. A “modified nucleoside” means a nucleoside having, independently, a modified sugar moiety or modified nucleobase.

“Modified oligonucleotide” means an oligonucleotide comprising at least one modified nucleotide.

“Modified sugar” refers to a substitution or change from a natural sugar.

“Motif” means the pattern of chemically distinct regions in an antisense compound.

“Myotonia” means an abnormally slow relaxation of a muscle after voluntary contraction or electrical stimulation.

“Nuclear ribonuclease” means a ribonuclease found in the nucleus. Nuclear ribonucleases include, but are not limited to, RNase H including RNase H1 and RNase H2, the double stranded RNase drosha and other double stranded RNases.

“Naturally occurring internucleoside linkage” means a 3′ to 5′ phosphodiester linkage.

“Natural sugar moiety” means a sugar found in DNA (2′-H) or RNA (2′-OH).

“Nucleic acid” refers to molecules composed of monomeric nucleotides. A nucleic acid includes ribonucleic acids (RNA), deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA), single-stranded nucleic acids, double-stranded nucleic acids, small interfering ribonucleic acids (siRNA), and microRNAs (miRNA). A nucleic acid can also comprise a combination of these elements in a single molecule.

“Nucleobase” means a heterocyclic moiety capable of pairing with a base of another nucleic acid.

“Nucleobase sequence” means the order of contiguous nucleobases independent of any sugar, linkage, or nucleobase modification.

“Nucleoside” means a nucleobase linked to a sugar.

“Nucleoside mimetic” includes those structures used to replace the sugar or the sugar and the base and not necessarily the linkage at one or more positions of an oligomeric compound such as for example nucleoside mimetics having morpholino, cyclohexenyl, cyclohexyl, tetrahydropyranyl, bicyclo or tricyclo sugar mimetics e.g. non furanose sugar units.

“Nucleotide” means a nucleoside having a phosphate group covalently linked to the sugar portion of the nucleoside.

“Nucleotide mimetic” includes those structures used to replace the nucleoside and the linkage at one or more positions of an oligomeric compound such as for example peptide nucleic acids or morpholinos (morpholinos linked by —N(H)—C(═O)—O—or other non-phosphodiester linkage).

“Oligomeric compound” or “oligomer” means a polymer of linked monomeric subunits which is capable of hybridizing to at least a region of a nucleic acid molecule.

“Oligonucleotide” means a polymer of linked nucleosides each of which can be modified or unmodified, independent one from another.

“Parenteral administration” means administration through injection or infusion. Parenteral administration includes subcutaneous administration, intravenous administration, intramuscular administration, intraarterial administration, intraperitoneal administration, or intracranial administration, e.g. intrathecal or intracerebroventricular administration. Administration can be continuous, or chronic, or short or intermittent.

“Peptide” means a molecule formed by linking at least two amino acids by amide bonds. Peptide refers to polypeptides and proteins.

“Pharmaceutical composition” means a mixture of substances suitable for administering to an individual. For example, a pharmaceutical composition can comprise one or more active agents and a sterile aqueous solution.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable salts” means physiologically and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of antisense compounds, i.e., salts that retain the desired biological activity of the parent oligonucleotide and do not impart undesired toxicological effects thereto.

“Phosphorothioate linkage” means a linkage between nucleosides where the phosphodiester bond is modified by replacing one of the non-bridging oxygen atoms with a sulfur atom. A phosphorothioate linkage is a modified internucleoside linkage.

“Portion” means a defined number of contiguous (i.e. linked) nucleobases of a nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, a portion is a defined number of contiguous nucleobases of a target nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, a portion is a defined number of contiguous nucleobases of an antisense compound.

“Preferentially reducing CUG exp DMPK RNA” refers to a preferential reduction of RNA transcripts from a CUGexp DMPK allele relative to RNA transcripts from a normal DMPK allele.

“Prevent” refers to delaying or forestalling the onset or development of a disease, disorder, or condition for a period of time from minutes to indefinitely. Prevent also means reducing risk of developing a disease, disorder, or condition.

“Prodrug” means a therapeutic agent that is prepared in an inactive form that is converted to an active form within the body or cells thereof by the action of endogenous enzymes or other chemicals or conditions.

“Side effects” means physiological responses attributable to a treatment other than the desired effects. In certain embodiments, side effects include injection site reactions, liver function test abnormalities, renal function abnormalities, liver toxicity, renal toxicity, central nervous system abnormalities, myopathies, and malaise. For example, increased aminotransferase levels in serum can indicate liver toxicity or liver function abnormality. For example, increased bilirubin can indicate liver toxicity or liver function abnormality.

“Single-stranded oligonucleotide” means an oligonucleotide which is not hybridized to a complementary strand.

“Specifically hybridizable” refers to an antisense compound having a sufficient degree of complementarity between an antisense oligonucleotide and a target nucleic acid to induce a desired effect, while exhibiting minimal or no effects on non-target nucleic acids under conditions in which specific binding is desired, i.e. under physiological conditions in the case of in vivo assays and therapeutic treatments.

“Spliceopathy” means a change in the alternative splicing of one or more RNAs that leads to the expression of altered splice products in a particular tissue.

“Subcutaneous administration” means administration just below the skin.

“Sugar surrogate” overlaps with the slightly broader term “nucleoside mimetic” but is intended to indicate replacement of the sugar unit (furanose ring) only. The tetrahydropyranyl rings provided herein are illustrative of an example of a sugar surrogate wherein the furanose sugar group has been replaced with a tetrahydropyranyl ring system.

“Targeting” or “targeted” means the process of design and selection of an antisense compound that will specifically hybridize to a target nucleic acid and induce a desired effect.

“Target nucleic acid,” “target RNA,” and “target RNA transcript” all refer to a nucleic acid capable of being targeted by antisense compounds.

“Target segment” means the sequence of nucleotides of a target nucleic acid to which an antisense compound is targeted. “5′ target site” refers to the 5′-most nucleotide of a target segment. “3′ target site” refers to the 3′-most nucleotide of a target segment.

“Therapeutically effective amount” means an amount of an agent that provides a therapeutic benefit to an individual.

“Treat” refers to administering a pharmaceutical composition to effect an alteration or improvement of a disease, disorder, or condition.

“Type 1 myotonic dystrophy” or “DM1” means an autosomal dominant disorder caused by expansion of a non-coding CTG repeat in DMPK. This mutation leads to RNA dominance, a process in which expression of RNA containing an expanded CUG repeat (CUGexp) induced cell dysfunction. The CUGexp tract interacts with RNA binding proteins and causes the mutant transcript to be retained in nuclear foci. The toxicity of this RNA stems from sequestration of RNA binding proteins and activation of signaling pathways.

“Unmodified nucleotide” means a nucleotide composed of naturally occurring nucleobases, sugar moieties, and internucleoside linkages. In certain embodiments, an unmodified nucleotide is an RNA nucleotide (i.e. β-D-ribonucleosides) or a DNA nucleotide (i.e. β-D-deoxyribonucleoside).

Certain Embodiments

Certain embodiments provide methods, compounds, and compositions for inhibiting DMPK expression.

Certain embodiments provide a method of reducing DMPK expression in an animal comprising administering to the animal a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide targeting DMPK.

Certain embodiments provide a method of preferentially reducing CUGexp DMPK RNA, reducing myotonia or reducing spliceopathy in an animal comprising administering to the animal a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide targeted to DMPK, wherein the modified oligonucleotide preferentially reduces CUGexp DMPK RNA, reduces myotonia or reduces spliceopathy in the animal.

Certain embodiments provide a method of administering an antisense oligonucleotide to counteract RNA dominance by directing the cleavage of pathogenic transcripts.

Certain embodiments provide a method of reducing spliceopathy of Serca1. In certain embodiments, methods provided herein result in exon 22 inclusion. In certain embodiments, the corrective splicing occurs in the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, and quadriceps muscles.

Certain embodiments provide a method of reducing spliceopathy of m-Titin. In certain embodiments, methods provided herein result in exon 5 inclusion. In certain embodiments, the corrective splicing occurs in the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, and quadriceps muscles.

Certain embodiments provide a method of reducing spliceopathy of Clen1. In certain embodiments, methods provided herein result in exon 7a inclusion. In certain embodiments, the corrective splicing occurs in the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, and quadriceps muscles.

Certain embodiments provide a method of reducing spliceopathy of Zasp. In certain embodiments, methods provided herein result in exon 11 inclusion. In certain embodiments, the corrective splicing occurs in the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, and quadriceps muscles.

Certain embodiments provide a method for treating an animal with type 1 myotonic dystrophy comprising: a) identifying said animal with type 1 myotonic dystrophy, and b) administering to said animal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide targeted to DMPK. In certain embodiments, the therapeutically effective amount of the compound administered to the animal preferentially reduces CUGexp DMPK RNA, reduces myotonia or reduces spliceopathy in the animal.

Certain embodiments provide a method of achieving a preferential reduction of CUGexp DMPK RNA, including administering to the subject suspected of having type 1 myotonic dystrophy or having a CUGexp DMPK RNA a modified antisense oligonucleotide complementary to a non-repeat region of said CUGexp DMPK RNA. The modified antisense oligonucleotide, when bound to said CUGexp DMPK RNA, achieves a preferential reduction of the CUGexp DMPK RNA.

Certain embodiments provide a method of achieving a preferential reduction of CUGexp DMPK RNA, including selecting a subject having type 1 myotonic dystrophy or having a CUGexp DMPK RNA and administering to said subject a modified antisense oligonucleotide complementary to a non-repeat region of said CUGexp DMPK RNA. The modified antisense oligonucleotide, when bound to the CUGexp DMPK RNA, activates a ribonuclease or nuclear ribonuclease, thereby achieving a preferential reduction of the CUGexp DMPK RNA in the nucleus.

Certain embodiments provide a method of achieving a preferential reduction of CUGexp DMPK RNA, including selecting a subject having type 1 myotonic dystrophy or having a mutant or CUGexp DMPK RNA and systemically administering to said subject a modified antisense oligonucleotide complementary to a non-repeat region of said CUGexp DMPK RNA. The modified antisense oligonucleotide, when bound to the mutant or CUGexp DMPK RNA, achieves a preferential reduction of the mutant or CUGexp DMPK RNA.

Certain embodiments provide a method of reducing myotonia in a subject in need thereof. The method includes administering to the subject a modified antisense oligonucleotide complementary to a non-repeat region of a DMPK RNA, wherein the modified antisense oligonucleotide, when bound to the DMPK RNA, activates a ribonuclease or nuclear ribonuclease, thereby reducing myotonia. In certain embodiments, the subject has or is suspected of having type 1 myotonic dystrophy or having a mutant DMPK RNA or CUGexp DMPK RNA. In certain embodiments, the DMPK RNA is nuclear retained.

Certain embodiments provide a method of reducing spliceopathy in a subject in need thereof. The method includes administering to the subject a modified antisense oligonucleotide complementary to a non-repeat region of a DMPK RNA, wherein the modified antisense oligonucleotide, when bound to the DMPK RNA, activates a ribonuclease or nuclear ribonuclease, thereby reducing spliceopathy. In certain embodiments, the subject has or is suspected of having type 1 myotonic dystrophy or having a nuclear retained CUGexp DMPK RNA. In certain embodiments, the DMPK RNA is nuclear retained. In certain embodiments, the spliceopathy is MBNL dependent spliceopathy.

In certain embodiments, the modified antisense oligonucleotide of the methods is chimeric. In certain embodiments, the modified antisense oligonucleotide of the methods is a gapmer.

In certain embodiments of the methods provided herein, the administering is subcutaneous. In certain embodiments, the administering is intravenous.

In certain embodiments, the modified antisense oligonucleotide of the methods targets a non-coding sequence within the non-repeat region of a DMPK RNA. In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide targets a coding region, an intron, a 5′UTR, or a 3′UTR of the mutant DMPK RNA. In certain embodiments of the methods provided herein, the nuclear ribonuclease is RNase H1.

In certain embodiments of the methods, the DMPK RNA is reduced in muscle tissue. In certain embodiments, the mutant DMPK RNA CUGexp DMPK RNA is preferentially reduced.

In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. NM_001081560.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 1). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. NT_011109.15 truncated from nucleotides 18540696 to U.S. Pat. No. 18,555,106 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 2). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. NT 039413.7 truncated from nucleotides 16666001 to U.S. Pat. No. 16,681,000 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 3). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. NM_032418.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 4). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. AI007148.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 5). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. AI304033.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 6). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. BC024150.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 7). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. BC056615.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 8). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. BC075715.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 793). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. BU519245.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 794). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. CB247909.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 795). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. CX208906.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 796). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. CX732022.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 797). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. S60315.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 798). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. S60316.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 799). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. NM_001081562.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 800). In certain embodiments, the DMPK has the sequence as set forth in GenBank Accession No. NM_001100.3 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 801).

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 12-156, 160-770, and 774-792. In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 9, at least 10, or at least 11, contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 12-156, 160-770, and 774-792.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 12 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 12-156, 160-770, and 774-792. In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 13, or at least 14, contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 12-156, 160-770, and 774-792.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 15 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 12-156, 160-770, and 774-792. In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 16, or at least 17, contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 12-156, 160-770, and 774-792.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 18 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 12-156, 160-770, and 774-792. In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 19 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 12-156, 160-770, and 774-792.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotides provided herein are targeted to any one of the following regions of SEQ ID NO: 1:1178-1206, 2159-2182, 2174-2196, 2426-2447, 2450-2518, 2679-2704, and 2697-2725.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotides provided herein are targeted to any one of the following regions of SEQ ID NO 1:178-223, 232-253, 279-299, 366-399, 519-541, 923-975, 1073-1105, 1171-1196, 1215-1246, 1263-1324, 1706-1734, 1743-1763, 1932-1979, 1981-2003, 2077-2108, and 2152-2173.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotides provided herein are targeted to any one of the following regions of SEQ ID NO: 2:1251-1303, 1305-1326, 1352-1372, 3762-3795, 4170-4192, 5800-5852, 6124-6149, 6168-6199, 6216-6277, 11979-12007, 12016-12036, 12993-13042, 13044-13066, 13140-13171, and 13215-13236.

In certain embodiments, the animal is a human.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions of the invention are designated as a first agent and the methods of the invention further comprise administering a second agent. In certain embodiments, the first agent and the second agent are co-administered. In certain embodiments the first agent and the second agent are co-administered sequentially or concomitantly.

In certain embodiments, administration comprises parenteral administration.

In certain embodiments, the compound is a single-stranded modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide is at least 95% complementary to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-8 and 793-801 as measured over the entirety of said modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide is 100% complementary to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-8 and 793-801 as measured over the entirety of said modified oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, at least one internucleoside linkage of said modified oligonucleotide is a modified internucleoside linkage. In certain embodiments, each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage.

In certain embodiments, at least one nucleoside of said modified oligonucleotide comprises a modified sugar. In certain embodiments, at least one modified sugar is a bicyclic sugar. In certain embodiments, at least one modified sugar comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl or a 4′-(CH 2 ) n —O-2′ bridge, wherein n is 1 or 2.

In certain embodiments, at least one nucleoside of said modified oligonucleotide comprises a modified nucleobase. In certain embodiments, the modified nucleobase is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a) a gap segment consisting of linked deoxynucleosides; b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of linked nucleosides; and c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of linked nucleosides. The gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment and each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a modified sugar.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a) a gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides; b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides; and c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides. The gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar, each internucleoside linkage of said modified oligonucleotide is a phosphorothioate linkage, and each cytosine in said modified oligonucleotide is a 5′-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide consists of 20 linked nucleosides.

Certain embodiments provide a method of preferentially reducing CUGexp DMPK RNA, reducing myotonia or reducing spliceopathy in an animal comprising administering to the animal a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide having a gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides, a 5′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides and a 3′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides. The gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar, each internucleoside linkage of said modified oligonucleotide is a phosphorothioate linkage, each cytosine in said modified oligonucleotide is a 5′-methylcytosine.

Certain embodiments provide the use of any compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for use in any of the therapeutic methods described herein. For example, certain embodiments provide the use of a compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for treating, ameliorating, or preventing type 1 myotonic dystrophy. Certain embodiments provide the use of a compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for inhibiting expression of DMPK and treating, preventing, delaying or ameliorating a DMPK related disease and or a symptom thereof. Certain embodiments provide the use of a compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for reducing DMPK expression in an animal. Certain embodiments provide the use of a compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for preferentially reducing CUGexp DMPK, reducing myotonia, or reducing spliceopathy in an animal. Certain embodiments provide the use of a compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for treating an animal with type 1 myotonic dystrophy. Certain embodiments provide the use of a compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for treating, preventing, delaying, or ameliorating symptoms and outcomes associated with development of DM1 including muscle stiffness, myotonia, disabling distal weakness, weakness in face and jaw muscles, difficulty in swallowing, drooping of the eyelids (ptosis), weakness of neck muscles, weakness in arm and leg muscles, persistent muscle pain, hypersomnia, muscle wasting, dysphagia, respiratory insufficiency, irregular heartbeat, heart muscle damage, apathy, insulin resistance, and cataracts. Certain embodiments provide the use of a compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for counteracting RNA dominance by directing the cleavage of pathogenic transcripts.

Certain embodiments provide a kit for treating, preventing, or ameliorating type 1 myotonic dystrophy as described herein wherein the kit comprises: a) a compound as described herein; and optionally b) an additional agent or therapy as described herein. The kit can further include instructions or a label for using the kit to treat, prevent, or ameliorate type 1 myotonic dystrophy.

Certain embodiments provide any compound or composition as described herein, for use in any of the therapeutic methods described herein. For example, certain embodiments provide a compound or composition as described herein for inhibiting expression of DMPK and treating, preventing, delaying or ameliorating a DMPK related disease and or a symptom thereof. Certain embodiments provide a compound or composition as described herein for use in reducing DMPK expression in an animal. Certain embodiments provide a compound or composition as described herein for use in preferentially reducing CUGexp DMPK, reducing myotonia, or reducing spliceopathy in an animal. Certain embodiments provide a compound or composition as described herein for use in treating an animal with type 1 myotonic dystrophy. Certain embodiments provide a compound or composition as described herein for use in treating, preventing, delaying, or ameliorating symptoms and outcomes associated with development of DM1 including muscle stiffness, myotonia, disabling distal weakness, weakness in face and jaw muscles, difficulty in swallowing, drooping of the eyelids (ptosis), weakness of neck muscles, weakness in arm and leg muscles, persistent muscle pain, hypersomnia, muscle wasting, dysphagia, respiratory insufficiency, irregular heartbeat, heart muscle damage, apathy, insulin resistance, and cataracts. Certain embodiments provide a compound or composition as described herein for use in counteracting RNA dominance by directing the cleavage of pathogenic transcripts. Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 12 to 30 linked nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 12 contiguous nucleobases of any of the nucleobase sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 12-156, 160-770, and 774-792.

Other compounds which can be used in the methods described herein are also provided.

For example, certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 10 to 80, 12 to 50, 12 to 30, 15 to 30, 18 to 24, 19 to 22, or 20 linked nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 11, at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, or at least 19, contiguous nucleobases of any of the nucleobase sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 41, 44, 76, 109, 153, 320, 321, 322, 325, 329, 335, and 657.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 10 to 80, 12 to 50, 12 to 30, 15 to 30, 18 to 24, 19 to 22, or 20, linked nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 11, at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, contiguous nucleobases of any of the nucleobase sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 15, 73, 77, 79, 83, 85, 130, 602, 648, 655, 674, and 680.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 10 to 80, 12 to 50, 12 to 30, 15 to 30, 18 to 24, 19 to 22, or 20, linked nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence comprising a portion of at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 11, at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, or at least 19, or more, contiguous nucleobases complementary to an equal length portion of nucleobases 664-683, 773-792, 926-945, 927-946, 928-947, 931-950, 935-954, 941-960, 2089-2108, 2163-2182, 2490-2509, 2499-2518, 2676-2695, 2685-2704, 2676-2695, 2688-2707, 2697-2716, 2764-2783, and 2770-2789 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the nucleobase sequence is complementary to SEQ ID NO: 1.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 10 to 80, 12 to 50, 12 to 30, 15 to 30, 18 to 24, 19 to 22, or 20, linked nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence comprising a portion of at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 11, at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, or at least 19, or more, contiguous nucleobases complementary to an equal length portion of nucleobases 812-831, 3629-3648, 4447-4466, 4613-4632, 5803-5822, 5804-5823, 5805-5824, 5808-5827, 5818-5837, 6794-6813, 12463-12482, 13152-13171, and 13553-13572 of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the nucleobase sequence is complementary to SEQ ID NO: 2.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide is a single-stranded oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide is at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or 100%, complementary to any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-8 and 793-801.

In certain embodiments, at least one internucleoside linkage is a modified internucleoside linkage.

In certain embodiments, each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage.

In certain embodiments, at least one nucleoside comprises a modified sugar.

In certain embodiments, at least one modified sugar is a bicyclic sugar.

In certain embodiments, at least one modified sugar comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl.

In certain embodiments, at least one nucleoside comprises a modified nucleobase.

In certain embodiments, the modified nucleobase is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide comprises:

a gap segment consisting of linked deoxynucleosides; a 5′ wing segment consisting of linked nucleosides; and a 3′ wing segment consisting of linked nucleosides; wherein the gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment and wherein each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a modified sugar.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide comprises:

a gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides; a 5′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides; and a 3′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides; wherein the gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, wherein each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar; and wherein each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide consists of 14 linked nucleosides.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide consists of 16 linked nucleosides.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide consists of 20 linked nucleosides.

Antisense Compounds

Oligomeric compounds include, but are not limited to, oligonucleotides, oligonucleosides, oligonucleotide analogs, oligonucleotide mimetics, antisense compounds, antisense oligonucleotides, and siRNAs. An oligomeric compound can be “antisense” to a target nucleic acid, meaning that is capable of undergoing hybridization to a target nucleic acid through hydrogen bonding.

In certain embodiments, an antisense compound has a nucleobase sequence that, when written in the 5′ to 3′ direction, comprises the reverse complement of the target segment of a target nucleic acid to which it is targeted. In certain such embodiments, an antisense oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence that, when written in the 5′ to 3′ direction, comprises the reverse complement of the target segment of a target nucleic acid to which it is targeted.

In certain embodiments, an antisense compound targeted to DMPK as described herein is 10 to 30 nucleotides in length. In other words, the antisense compounds are in some embodiments from 10 to 30 linked nucleobases. In other embodiments, the antisense compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 8 to 80, 10 to 80, 12 to 30, 12 to 50, 15 to 30, 18 to 24, 19 to 22, or 20 linked nucleobases. In certain such embodiments, the antisense compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, or 80 linked nucleobases in length, or a range defined by any two of the above values. In certain embodiments, antisense compounds of any of these lengths contain at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 11, at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, or at least 19, contiguous nucleobases of the nucleobase sequence of any of the exemplary antisense compounds described herein (e.g., at least 8 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 12-156, 160-770, and 774-792.

In certain embodiments, the antisense compound comprises a shortened or truncated modified oligonucleotide. The shortened or truncated modified oligonucleotide can have a single nucleoside deleted from the 5′ end (5′ truncation), or alternatively from the 3′ end (3′ truncation). A shortened or truncated oligonucleotide can have two nucleosides deleted from the 5′ end, or alternatively can have two subunits deleted from the 3′ end. Alternatively, the deleted nucleosides can be dispersed throughout the modified oligonucleotide, for example, in an antisense compound having one nucleoside deleted from the 5′ end and one nucleoside deleted from the 3′ end.

When a single additional nucleoside is present in a lengthened oligonucleotide, the additional nucleoside can be located at the 5′ or 3′ end of the oligonucleotide. When two or more additional nucleosides are present, the added nucleosides can be adjacent to each other, for example, in an oligonucleotide having two nucleosides added to the 5′ end (5′ addition), or alternatively to the 3′ end (3′ addition), of the oligonucleotide. Alternatively, the added nucleoside can be dispersed throughout the antisense compound, for example, in an oligonucleotide having one nucleoside added to the 5′ end and one subunit added to the 3′ end.

It is possible to increase or decrease the length of an antisense compound, such as an antisense oligonucleotide, and/or introduce mismatch bases without eliminating activity. For example, in Woolf et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:7305-7309, 1992), a series of antisense oligonucleotides 13-25 nucleobases in length were tested for their ability to induce cleavage of a target RNA in an oocyte injection model. Antisense oligonucleotides 25 nucleobases in length with 8 or 11 mismatch bases near the ends of the antisense oligonucleotides were able to direct specific cleavage of the target mRNA, albeit to a lesser extent than the antisense oligonucleotides that contained no mismatches. Similarly, target specific cleavage was achieved using 13 nucleobase antisense oligonucleotides, including those with 1 or 3 mismatches.

Gautschi et al (J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 93:463-471, March 2001) demonstrated the ability of an oligonucleotide having 100% complementarity to the bcl-2 mRNA and having 3 mismatches to the bcl-xL mRNA to reduce the expression of both bcl-2 and bel-xL in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, this oligonucleotide demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity in vivo.

Maher and Dolnick (Nuc. Acid. Res. 16:3341-3358, 1988) tested a series of tandem 14 nucleobase antisense oligonucleotides, and a 28 and 42 nucleobase antisense oligonucleotides comprised of the sequence of two or three of the tandem antisense oligonucleotides, respectively, for their ability to arrest translation of human DHFR in a rabbit reticulocyte assay. Each of the three 14 nucleobase antisense oligonucleotides alone was able to inhibit translation, albeit at a more modest level than the 28 or 42 nucleobase antisense oligonucleotides.

Antisense Compound Motifs

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds targeted to a DMPK nucleic acid have chemically modified subunits arranged in patterns, or motifs, to confer to the antisense compounds properties such as enhanced the inhibitory activity, increased binding affinity for a target nucleic acid, or resistance to degradation by in vivo nucleases.

Chimeric antisense compounds typically contain at least one region modified so as to confer increased resistance to nuclease degradation, increased cellular uptake, increased binding affinity for the target nucleic acid, and/or increased inhibitory activity. A second region of a chimeric antisense compound can optionally serve as a substrate for the cellular endonuclease RNase H, which cleaves the RNA strand of an RNA: DNA duplex.

Antisense compounds having a gapmer motif are considered chimeric antisense compounds. In a gapmer an internal region having a plurality of nucleotides that supports RNaseH cleavage is positioned between external regions having a plurality of nucleotides that are chemically distinct from the nucleosides of the internal region. In the case of an antisense oligonucleotide having a gapmer motif, the gap segment generally serves as the substrate for endonuclease cleavage, while the wing segments comprise modified nucleosides. In certain embodiments, the regions of a gapmer are differentiated by the types of sugar moieties comprising each distinct region. The types of sugar moieties that are used to differentiate the regions of a gapmer can in some embodiments include β-D-ribonucleosides, β-D-deoxyribonucleosides, 2′-modified nucleosides (such 2′-modified nucleosides can include 2′-MOE, and 2′-O—CH 3 , among others), and bicyclic sugar modified nucleosides (such bicyclic sugar modified nucleosides can include those having a 4′-(CH 2 ) n-O-2′ bridge, where n=1 or n=2). Preferably, each distinct region comprises uniform sugar moieties. The wing-gap-wing motif is frequently described as “X-Y-Z”, where “X” represents the length of the 5′ wing region, “Y” represents the length of the gap region, and “Z” represents the length of the 3′ wing region. As used herein, a gapmer described as “X-Y-Z” has a configuration such that the gap segment is positioned immediately adjacent each of the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment. Thus, no intervening nucleotides exist between the 5′ wing segment and gap segment, or the gap segment and the 3′ wing segment. Any of the antisense compounds described herein can have a gapmer motif. In some embodiments, X and Z are the same, in other embodiments they are different. In a preferred embodiment, Y is between 8 and 15 nucleotides. X, Y or Z can be any of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30 or more nucleotides. Thus, gapmers include, but are not limited to, for example 5-10-5, 4-8-4, 4-12-3, 4-12-4, 3-14-3, 2-13-5, 2-16-2, 1-18-1, 3-10-3, 2-10-2, 1-10-1, 2-8-2, 6-8-6, 5-8-5, 1-8-1, or 2-6-2.

In certain embodiments, the antisense compound as a “wingmer” motif, having a wing-gap or gap-wing configuration, i.e. an X-Y or Y—Z configuration as described above for the gapmer configuration. Thus, wingmer configurations include, but are not limited to, for example 5-10, 8-4, 4-12, 12-4, 3-14, 16-2, 18-1, 10-3, 2-10, 1-10, 8-2, 2-13, or 5-13.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds targeted to a DMPK nucleic acid possess a 5-10-5 gapmer motif.

In certain embodiments, an antisense compound targeted to a DMPK nucleic acid has a gap-widened motif.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds of any of these gapmer or wingmer motifs contain at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 11, at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, or at least 19, contiguous nucleobases of the nucleobase sequence of any of the exemplary antisense compounds described herein (e.g., at least 8 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 12-156, 160-770, and 774-792.

Target Nucleic Acids, Target Regions and Nucleotide Sequences

Nucleotide sequences that encode DMPK include, without limitation, the following sequences as set forth in GenBank Accession No. NM_001081560.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 1), GenBank Accession No. NT_011109.15 truncated from nucleotides 18540696 to U.S. Pat. No. 18,555,106 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 2), GenBank Accession No. NT 039413.7 truncated from nucleotides 16666001 to U.S. Pat. No. 16,681,000 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 3), GenBank Accession No. NM_032418.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 4), GenBank Accession No. AI007148.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 5), GenBank Accession No. AI304033.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 6), GenBank Accession No. BC024150.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 7), GenBank Accession No. BC056615.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 8), GenBank Accession No. BC075715.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 793), GenBank Accession No. BU519245.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 794), GenBank Accession No. CB247909.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 795), GenBank Accession No. CX208906.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 796), GenBank Accession No. CX732022.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 797), GenBank Accession No. S60315.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 798), GenBank Accession No. S60316.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 799), GenBank Accession No. NM_001081562.1 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 800), and GenBank Accession No. NM_001100.3 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 801). It is understood that the sequence set forth in each SEQ ID NO in the Examples contained herein is independent of any modification to a sugar moiety, an internucleoside linkage, or a nucleobase. As such, antisense compounds defined by a SEQ ID NO can comprise, independently, one or more modifications to a sugar moiety, an internucleoside linkage, or a nucleobase. Antisense compounds described by Isis Number (Isis No) indicate a combination of nucleobase sequence and motif.

In certain embodiments, a target region is a structurally defined region of the target nucleic acid. For example, a target region can encompass a 3′ UTR, a 5′ UTR, an exon, an intron, an exon/intron junction, a coding region, a translation initiation region, translation termination region, or other defined nucleic acid region. The structurally defined regions for DMPK can be obtained by accession number from sequence databases such as NCBI and such information is incorporated herein by reference. In certain embodiments, a target region can encompass the sequence from a 5′ target site of one target segment within the target region to a 3′ target site of another target segment within the target region.

Targeting includes determination of at least one target segment to which an antisense compound hybridizes, such that a desired effect occurs. In certain embodiments, the desired effect is a reduction in mRNA target nucleic acid levels. In certain embodiments, the desired effect is reduction of levels of protein encoded by the target nucleic acid or a phenotypic change associated with the target nucleic acid.

A target region can contain one or more target segments. Multiple target segments within a target region can be overlapping. Alternatively, they can be non-overlapping. In certain embodiments, target segments within a target region are separated by no more than about 300 nucleotides. In certain embodiments, target segments within a target region are separated by a number of nucleotides that is, is about, is no more than, is no more than about, 250, 200, 150, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, or 10 nucleotides on the target nucleic acid, or is a range defined by any two of the preceding values. In certain embodiments, target segments within a target region are separated by no more than, or no more than about, 5 nucleotides on the target nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, target segments are contiguous. Contemplated are target regions defined by a range having a starting nucleic acid that is any of the 5′ target sites or 3′ target sites listed herein.

Suitable target segments can be found within a 5′ UTR, a coding region, a 3′ UTR, an intron, an exon, or an exon/intron junction. Target segments containing a start codon or a stop codon are also suitable target segments. A suitable target segment can specifically exclude a certain structurally defined region such as the start codon or stop codon.

The determination of suitable target segments can include a comparison of the sequence of a target nucleic acid to other sequences throughout the genome. For example, the BLAST algorithm can be used to identify regions of similarity amongst different nucleic acids. This comparison can prevent the selection of antisense compound sequences that can hybridize in a non-specific manner to sequences other than a selected target nucleic acid (i.e., non-target or off-target sequences).

There can be variation in activity (e.g., as defined by percent reduction of target nucleic acid levels) of the antisense compounds within an active target region. In certain embodiments, reductions in DMPK mRNA levels are indicative of inhibition of DMPK protein expression.

Reductions in levels of a DMPK protein are also indicative of inhibition of target mRNA expression. Further, phenotypic changes, such as a reducing myotonia or reducing spliceopathy, can be indicative of inhibition of DMPK mRNA and/or protein expression.

Hybridization

In some embodiments, hybridization occurs between an antisense compound disclosed herein and a DMPK nucleic acid. The most common mechanism of hybridization involves hydrogen bonding (e.g., Watson-Crick, Hoogsteen or reversed Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding) between complementary nucleobases of the nucleic acid molecules.

Hybridization can occur under varying conditions. Stringent conditions are sequence-dependent and are determined by the nature and composition of the nucleic acid molecules to be hybridized.

Methods of determining whether a sequence is specifically hybridizable to a target nucleic acid are well known in the art (Sambrooke and Russell, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 3 rd Ed., 2001). In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds provided herein are specifically hybridizable with a DMPK nucleic acid.

Complementarity

An antisense compound and a target nucleic acid are complementary to each other when a sufficient number of nucleobases of the antisense compound can hydrogen bond with the corresponding nucleobases of the target nucleic acid, such that a desired effect will occur (e.g., antisense inhibition of a target nucleic acid, such as a DMPK nucleic acid).

An antisense compound can hybridize over one or more segments of a DMPK nucleic acid such that intervening or adjacent segments are not involved in the hybridization event (e.g., a loop structure, mismatch or hairpin structure).

In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds provided herein, or a specified portion thereof, are, or are at least, 70%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% complementary to a DMPK nucleic acid, a target region, target segment, or specified portion thereof. In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds are at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% complementary to a DMPK nucleic acid, a target region, target segment, or specified portion thereof, and contain at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 11, at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, or at least 19, contiguous nucleobases of the nucleobase sequence of any of the exemplary antisense compounds described herein (e.g., at least 8 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 12-156, 160-770, and 774-792). Percent complementarity of an antisense compound with a target nucleic acid can be determined using routine methods, and is measured over the entirety of the antisense compound.

For example, an antisense compound in which 18 of 20 nucleobases of the antisense compound are complementary to a target region, and would therefore specifically hybridize, would represent 90 percent complementarity. In this example, the remaining noncomplementary nucleobases can be clustered or interspersed with complementary nucleobases and need not be contiguous to each other or to complementary nucleobases. As such, an antisense compound which is 18 nucleobases in length having 4 (four) noncomplementary nucleobases which are flanked by two regions of complete complementarity with the target nucleic acid would have 77.8% overall complementarity with the target nucleic acid and would thus fall within the scope of the present invention. Percent complementarity of an antisense compound with a region of a target nucleic acid can be determined routinely using BLAST programs (basic local alignment search tools) and PowerBLAST programs known in the art (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol., 1990, 215, 403 410; Zhang and Madden, Genome Res., 1997, 7, 649 656). Percent homology, sequence identity or complementarity, can be determined by, for example, the Gap program (Wisconsin Sequence Analysis Package, Version 8 for Unix, Genetics Computer Group, University Research Park, Madison Wis.), using default settings, which uses the algorithm of Smith and Waterman (Adv. Appl. Math., 1981, 2, 482 489).

In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds provided herein, or specified portions thereof, are fully complementary (i.e. 100% complementary) to a target nucleic acid, or specified portion thereof. For example, antisense compound can be fully complementary to a DMPK nucleic acid, or a target region, or a target segment or target sequence thereof. As used herein, “fully complementary” means each nucleobase of an antisense compound is capable of precise base pairing with the corresponding nucleobases of a target nucleic acid. For example, a 20 nucleobase antisense compound is fully complementary to a target sequence that is 400 nucleobases long, so long as there is a corresponding 20 nucleobase portion of the target nucleic acid that is fully complementary to the antisense compound. Fully complementary can also be used in reference to a specified portion of the first and/or the second nucleic acid. For example, a 20 nucleobase portion of a 30 nucleobase antisense compound can be “fully complementary” to a target sequence that is 400 nucleobases long. The 20 nucleobase portion of the 30 nucleobase oligonucleotide is fully complementary to the target sequence if the target sequence has a corresponding 20 nucleobase portion wherein each nucleobase is complementary to the 20 nucleobase portion of the antisense compound. At the same time, the entire 30 nucleobase antisense compound can be fully complementary to the target sequence, depending on whether the remaining 10 nucleobases of the antisense compound are also complementary to the target sequence.

The location of a non-complementary nucleobase can be at the 5′ end or 3′ end of the antisense compound. Alternatively, the non-complementary nucleobase or nucleobases can be at an internal position of the antisense compound. When two or more non-complementary nucleobases are present, they can be either contiguous (i.e. linked) or non-contiguous. In one embodiment, a non-complementary nucleobase is located in the wing segment of a gapmer antisense oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds that are, or are up to 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 nucleobases in length comprise no more than 4, no more than 3, no more than 2, or no more than 1 non-complementary nucleobase(s) relative to a target nucleic acid, such as a DMPK nucleic acid, or specified portion thereof.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds that are, or are up to 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 nucleobases in length comprise no more than 6, no more than 5, no more than 4, no more than 3, no more than 2, or no more than 1 non-complementary nucleobase(s) relative to a target nucleic acid, such as a DMPK nucleic acid, or specified portion thereof.

The antisense compounds provided herein also include those which are complementary to a portion of a target nucleic acid. As used herein, “portion” refers to a defined number of contiguous (i.e. linked) nucleobases within a region or segment of a target nucleic acid. A “portion” can also refer to a defined number of contiguous nucleobases of an antisense compound. In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds, are complementary to at least an 8 nucleobase portion of a target segment. In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds are complementary to at least a 10 nucleobase portion of a target segment. In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds are complementary to at least a 15 nucleobase portion of a target segment. Also contemplated are antisense compounds that are complementary to at least an 8, at least a 9, at least a 10, at least an 11, at least a 12, at least a 13, at least a 14, at least a 15, at least a 16, at least a 17, at least an 18, at least a 19, at least a 20, or more nucleobase portion of a target segment, or a range defined by any two of these values.

Identity

The antisense compounds provided herein can also have a defined percent identity to a particular nucleotide sequence, SEQ ID NO, or compound represented by a specific Isis number, or portion thereof. As used herein, an antisense compound is identical to the sequence disclosed herein if it has the same nucleobase pairing ability. For example, a RNA which contains uracil in place of thymidine in a disclosed DNA sequence would be considered identical to the DNA sequence since both uracil and thymidine pair with adenine. Shortened and lengthened versions of the antisense compounds described herein as well as compounds having non-identical bases relative to the antisense compounds provided herein also are contemplated. The non-identical bases can be adjacent to each other or dispersed throughout the antisense compound. Percent identity of an antisense compound is calculated according to the number of bases that have identical base pairing relative to the sequence to which it is being compared.

In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds, or portions thereof, are at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or 100% identical to one or more of the exemplary antisense compounds or SEQ ID NOs, or a portion thereof, disclosed herein.

Modifications

A nucleoside is a base-sugar combination. The nucleobase (also known as base) portion of the nucleoside is normally a heterocyclic base moiety. Nucleotides are nucleosides that further include a phosphate group covalently linked to the sugar portion of the nucleoside. For those nucleosides that include a pentofuranosyl sugar, the phosphate group can be linked to the 2′, 3′ or 5′ hydroxyl moiety of the sugar. Oligonucleotides are formed through the covalent linkage of adjacent nucleosides to one another, to form a linear polymeric oligonucleotide. Within the oligonucleotide structure, the phosphate groups are commonly referred to as forming the internucleoside linkages of the oligonucleotide.

Modifications to antisense compounds encompass substitutions or changes to internucleoside linkages, sugar moieties, or nucleobases. Modified antisense compounds are often preferred over native forms because of desirable properties such as, for example, enhanced cellular uptake, enhanced affinity for nucleic acid target, increased stability in the presence of nucleases, or increased inhibitory activity.

Chemically modified nucleosides can also be employed to increase the binding affinity of a shortened or truncated antisense oligonucleotide for its target nucleic acid. Consequently, comparable results can often be obtained with shorter antisense compounds that have such chemically modified nucleosides.

Modified Internucleoside Linkages

The naturally occurring internucleoside linkage of RNA and DNA is a 3′ to 5′ phosphodiester linkage. Antisense compounds having one or more modified, i.e. non-naturally occurring, internucleoside linkages are often selected over antisense compounds having naturally occurring internucleoside linkages because of desirable properties such as, for example, enhanced cellular uptake, enhanced affinity for target nucleic acids, and increased stability in the presence of nucleases.

Oligonucleotides having modified internucleoside linkages include internucleoside linkages that retain a phosphorus atom as well as internucleoside linkages that do not have a phosphorus atom. Representative phosphorus containing internucleoside linkages include, but are not limited to, phosphodiesters, phosphotriesters, methylphosphonates, phosphoramidate, and phosphorothioates. Methods of preparation of phosphorous-containing and non-phosphorous-containing linkages are well known.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds targeted to a DMPK nucleic acid comprise one or more modified internucleoside linkages. In certain embodiments, the modified internucleoside linkages are phosphorothioate linkages. In certain embodiments, each internucleoside linkage of an antisense compound is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage.

Modified Sugar Moieties

Antisense compounds of the invention can optionally contain one or more nucleosides wherein the sugar group has been modified. Such sugar modified nucleosides may impart enhanced nuclease stability, increased binding affinity, or some other beneficial biological property to the antisense compounds. In certain embodiments, nucleosides comprise chemically modified ribofuranose ring moieties. Examples of chemically modified ribofuranose rings include without limitation, addition of substitutent groups (including 5′ and 2′ substituent groups, bridging of non-geminal ring atoms to form bicyclic nucleic acids (BNA), replacement of the ribosyl ring oxygen atom with S, N(R), or C(R 1 )(R 2 )(R, R 1 and R 2 are each independently H, C 1 -C 12 alkyl or a protecting group) and combinations thereof. Examples of chemically modified sugars include 2′-F-5′-methyl substituted nucleoside (see PCT International Application WO 2008/101157 Published on Aug. 21, 2008 for other disclosed 5′,2′-bis substituted nucleosides) or replacement of the ribosyl ring oxygen atom with S with further substitution at the 2′-position (see published U.S. Patent Application US2005-0130923, published on Jun. 16, 2005) or alternatively 5′-substitution of a BNA (see PCT International Application WO 2007/134181 Published on Nov. 22, 2007 wherein LNA is substituted with for example a 5′-methyl or a 5′-vinyl group).

Examples of nucleosides having modified sugar moieties include without limitation nucleosides comprising 5′-vinyl, 5′-methyl(R or S), 4′-S, 2′-F, 2′—OCH 3 , 2′—OCH 2 CH 3 , 2′-OCH 2 CH 2 F and 2′-O(CH 2 ) 2 OCH 3 substituent groups. The substituent at the 2′ position can also be selected from allyl, amino, azido, thio, O-allyl, O—C 1 -C 10 alkyl, OCF 3 , OCH 2 F, O(CH 2 ) 2 SCH 3 , O(CH 2 ) 2 —O—N(R m )(R n ), O—CH 2 —C(═O)—N(R m )(R n ), and O—CH 2 —C(═O)—N(Ri)-(CH 2 ) 2 —N(R m )(R n ), where each R 1 , R m and R n is, independently, H or substituted or unsubstituted C 1 -C 10 alkyl.

Examples of bicyclic nucleic acids (BNAs) include without limitation nucleosides comprising a bridge between the 4′ and the 2′ ribosyl ring atoms. In certain embodiments, antisense compounds provided herein include one or more BNA nucleosides wherein the bridge comprises one of the formulas: 4′-(CH 2 )—O-2′ (LNA); 4′-(CH 2 )—S-2′; 4′—(CH 2 ) 2 —O-2′ (ENA); 4′-CH(CH 3 )—O-2′ and 4′-CH(CH 2 OCH 3 )—O-2′ (and analogs thereof see U.S. Pat. No. 7,399,845, issued on Jul. 15, 2008); 4′-C(CH 3 )(CH 3 )—O-2′ (and analogs thereof see PCT/US2008/068922 published as WO/2009/006478, published Jan. 8, 2009); 4′-CH 2 —N(OCH 3 )-2′ (and analogs thereof see PCT/US2008/064591 published as WO/2008/150729, published Dec. 11, 2008); 4′-CH 2 —O—N(CH 3 )-2′ (see published U.S. Patent Application US2004-0171570, published Sep. 2, 2004); 4′-CH 2 —N(R)—O-2′, wherein R is H, C 1 -C 12 alkyl, or a protecting group (see U.S. Pat. No. 7,427,672, issued on Sep. 23, 2008); 4′-CH 2 —C(H)(CH 3 )-2′ (see Chattopadhyaya et al., J. Org. Chem., 2009, 74, 118-134); and 4′-CH 2 —C(—CH 2 )-2′ (and analogs thereof see PCT/US2008/066154 published as WO 2008/154401, published on Dec. 8, 2008).

Further bicyclic nucleosides have been reported in published literature (see for example: Srivastava et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2007, 129 (26) 8362-8379; Frieden et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 2003, 21, 6365-6372; Elayadi et al., Curr. Opinion Invens. Drugs, 2001, 2, 558-561; Braasch et al., Chem. Biol., 2001, 8, 1-7; Orum et al., Curr. Opinion Mol. Ther., 2001, 3, 239-243; Wahlestedt et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A, 2000, 97, 5633-5638; Singh et al., Chem. Commun., 1998, 4, 455-456; Koshkin et al., Tetrahedron, 1998, 54, 3607-3630; Kumar et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 1998, 8, 2219-2222; Singh et al., J. Org. Chem., 1998, 63, 10035-10039; U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,399,845; 7,053,207; 7,034,133; 6,794,499; 6,770,748; 6,670,461; 6,525,191; 6,268,490; U.S. Patent Publication Nos.: US2008-0039618; US2007-0287831; US2004-0171570; U.S. Patent Applications, Serial Nos.: 12/129,154; 61/099,844; 61/097,787; 61/086,231; 61/056,564; 61/026,998; 61/026,995; 60/989,574; International applications WO 2007/134181; WO 2005/021570; WO 2004/106356; WO 94/14226; and PCT International Applications Nos.: PCT/US2008/068922; PCT/US2008/066154; and PCT/US2008/064591). Each of the foregoing bicyclic nucleosides can be prepared having one or more stereochemical sugar configurations including for example α-L-ribofuranose and β-D-ribofuranose (see PCT international application PCT/DK98/00393, published on Mar. 25, 1999 as WO 99/14226).

In certain embodiments, bicyclic nucleosides comprise a bridge between the 4′ and the 2′ carbon atoms of the pentofuranosyl sugar moiety including without limitation, bridges comprising 1 or from 1 to 4 linked groups independently selected from —[C(R a )(R b )] n —, —C(R a )═C(R b )—, —C(R a )═N—, —C(═NR a )—, —C(═O)—, —C(═S)—, —O—, —Si(R a ) 2 —, —S(═O) x —, and —N(R a )—; wherein: x is 0, 1, or 2; n is 1, 2, 3, or 4; each R a and R b is, independently, H, a protecting group, hydroxyl, C 1 -C 12 alkyl, substituted C 1 -C 12 alkyl, C 2 -C 12 alkenyl, substituted C 2 -C 12 alkenyl, C 2 -C 12 alkynyl, substituted C 2 -C 12 alkynyl, C 5 -C 20 aryl, substituted C 5 -C 20 aryl, heterocycle radical, substituted heterocycle radical, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, C 5 -C 7 alicyclic radical, substituted C 5 -C 7 alicyclic radical, halogen, OJ 1 , NJ 1 J 2 , SJ 1 , N 3 , COOJ 1 , acyl(C(═O)—H), substituted acyl, CN, sulfonyl(S(═O) 2 -J 1 ), or sulfoxyl(S(═O)-J 1 ); and

each J 1 and J 2 is, independently, H, C 1 -C 12 alkyl, substituted C 1 -C 12 alkyl, C 2 -C 12 alkenyl, substituted C 2 -C 12 alkenyl, C 2 -C 12 alkynyl, substituted C 2 -C 12 alkynyl, C 5 -C 20 aryl, substituted C 5 -C 20 aryl, acyl(C(═O)—H), substituted acyl, a heterocycle radical, a substituted heterocycle radical, C 1 -C 12 aminoalkyl, substituted C 1 -C 12 aminoalkyl or a protecting group.

In certain embodiments, the bridge of a bicyclic sugar moiety is, —[C(R a )(R b )] n —, —[C(R a )(R b )] n —O—, —C(R a R b )—N(R)—O— or —C(R a R b )—O—N(R)—. In certain embodiments, the bridge is 4′-CH 2 -2′, 4′—(CH 2 ) 2 -2′, 4′—(CH 2 ) 3-2′, 4 ′—CH 2 —O-2′, 4′—(CH 2 ) 2 —O-2′, 4′—CH 2 —O—N(R)-2′ and 4′-CH 2 —N(R)—O-2′— wherein each R is, independently, H, a protecting group or C 1 -C 12 alkyl.

In certain embodiments, bicyclic nucleosides are further defined by isomeric configuration. For example, a nucleoside comprising a 4′-(CH 2 )—O-2′ bridge, may be in the α-L configuration or in the β-D configuration. Previously, α-L-methyleneoxy (4′-CH 2 —O-2′) BNA's have been incorporated into antisense oligonucleotides that showed antisense activity (Frieden et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 2003, 21, 6365-6372).

In certain embodiments, bicyclic nucleosides include those having a 4′ to 2′ bridge wherein such bridges include without limitation, α-L-4′-(CH 2 )—O-2′, B-D-4′-CH 2 —O-2′, 4′—(CH 2 ) 2 —O-2′, 4′—CH 2 —O—N(R)-2′, 4′—CH 2 —N(R)—O-2′, 4′—CH(CH 3 )—O-2′, 4′—CH 2 —S-2′, 4′—CH 2 —N(R)-2′, 4′—CH 2 —CH(CH 3 )-2′, and 4′-(CH 2 ) 3-2′, wherein R is H, a protecting group or C 1 -C 12 alkyl.

In certain embodiments, bicyclic nucleosides have the formula:

wherein:

Bx is a heterocyclic base moiety; Q a -Q b -Q c - is —CH 2 —N(R c )—CH 2 —, —C(═O)—N(R c )—CH 2 —, —CH 2 —O—N(R c )—, —CH 2 —N(R c )—O— or —N(R c )—O—CH 2 ; R c is C 1 -C 12 alkyl or an amino protecting group; and T a and T b are each, independently H, a hydroxyl protecting group, a conjugate group, a reactive phosphorus group, a phosphorus moiety or a covalent attachment to a support medium.

In certain embodiments, bicyclic nucleosides have the formula:

wherein:

Bx is a heterocyclic base moiety; T a and T b are each, independently H, a hydroxyl protecting group, a conjugate group, a reactive phosphorus group, a phosphorus moiety or a covalent attachment to a support medium; Z a is C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl, substituted C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, substituted C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, acyl, substituted acyl, substituted amide, thiol or substituted thiol.

In one embodiment, each of the substituted groups, is, independently, mono or poly substituted with substituent groups independently selected from halogen, oxo, hydroxyl, OJ c , NJ c J d , SJ c , N 3 , OC(═X)J c , and NJ e C(═X)NJ c J d , wherein each J c , J d and J e is, independently, H, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, or substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl and X is O or NJ c .

In certain embodiments, bicyclic nucleosides have the formula:

wherein:

Bx is a heterocyclic base moiety; T a and T b are each, independently H, a hydroxyl protecting group, a conjugate group, a reactive phosphorus group, a phosphorus moiety or a covalent attachment to a support medium; Z b is C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl, substituted C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, substituted C 2 -C 6 alkynyl or substituted acyl(C(═O)—).

In certain embodiments, bicyclic nucleosides have the formula:

wherein:

Bx is a heterocyclic base moiety; T a and T b are each, independently H, a hydroxyl protecting group, a conjugate group, a reactive phosphorus group, a phosphorus moiety or a covalent attachment to a support medium; R d is C 1 -C 6 alkyl, substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, substituted C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl or substituted C 2 -C 6 alkynyl; each q a , q b , q c and q d is, independently, H, halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, substituted C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl or substituted C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxyl, substituted C 1 -C 6 alkoxyl, acyl, substituted acyl, C 1 -C 6 aminoalkyl or substituted C 1 -C 6 aminoalkyl;

In certain embodiments, bicyclic nucleosides have the formula:

wherein:

Bx is a heterocyclic base moiety; T a and T b are each, independently H, a hydroxyl protecting group, a conjugate group, a reactive phosphorus group, a phosphorus moiety or a covalent attachment to a support medium; q a , q b , q e and q f are each, independently, hydrogen, halogen, C 1 -C 12 alkyl, substituted C 1 -C 12 alkyl, C 2 -C 12 alkenyl, substituted C 2 -C 12 alkenyl, C 2 -C 12 alkynyl, substituted C 2 -C 12 alkynyl, C 1 -C 12 alkoxy, substituted C 1 -C 12 alkoxy, OJ j , SJ j , SOJ j , SO 2 J j , NJ j J k , N 3 , CN, C(═O)OJ j , C(═O)NJ j J k , C(═O) J j , O—C(═O)NJ j J k , N(H)C(═NH)NJ j J k , N(H)C(═O)NJ j J k or N(H) C(═S)NJ j J k ; or q e and q f together are ═C(q g )(q h ); q g and q h are each, independently, H, halogen, C 1 -C 12 alkyl or substituted C 1 -C 12 alkyl.

The synthesis and preparation of adenine, cytosine, guanine, 5-methyl-cytosine, thymine and uracil bicyclic nucleosides having a 4′-CH 2 —O-2′ bridge, along with their oligomerization, and nucleic acid recognition properties have been described (Koshkin et al., Tetrahedron, 1998, 54, 3607-3630). The synthesis of bicyclic nucleosides has also been described in WO 98/39352 and WO 99/14226.

Analogs of various bicyclic nucleosides that have 4′ to 2′ bridging groups such as 4′-CH 2 —O-2′ and 4′-CH 2 —S-2′, have also been prepared (Kumar et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 1998, 8, 2219-2222). Preparation of oligodeoxyribonucleotide duplexes comprising bicyclic nucleosides for use as substrates for nucleic acid polymerases has also been described (Wengel et al., WO 99/14226). Furthermore, synthesis of 2′-amino-BNA, a novel conformationally restricted high-affinity oligonucleotide analog has been described in the art (Singh et al., J. Org. Chem., 1998, 63, 10035-10039). In addition, 2′-amino- and 2′-methylamino-BNA's have been prepared and the thermal stability of their duplexes with complementary RNA and DNA strands has been previously reported. In certain embodiments, bicyclic nucleosides have the formula:

wherein:

Bx is a heterocyclic base moiety; T a and T b are each, independently H, a hydroxyl protecting group, a conjugate group, a reactive phosphorus group, a phosphorus moiety or a covalent attachment to a support medium; each q i , q i , q k and q l is, independently, H, halogen, C 1 -C 12 alkyl, substituted C 1 -C 12 alkyl, C 2 -C 12 alkenyl, substituted C 2 -C 12 alkenyl, C 2 -C 12 alkynyl, substituted C 2 -C 12 alkynyl, C 1 -C 12 alkoxyl, substituted C 1 -C 12 alkoxyl, OJ j , SJ j , SOJ j , SO 2 J j , NJ j J k , N 3 , CN, C(═O)OJ j , C(═O)NJ j J k , C(═O) J j , O—C(═O)NJ j J k , N(H)C(═NH)NJ j J k , N(H)C(═O)NJ j J k or N(H)C(═S)NJ j J k ; and q i and q j or q l and q k together are ═C(q g )(q h ), wherein q g and q h are each, independently, H, halogen, C 1 -C 12 alkyl or substituted C 1 -C 12 alkyl.

One carbocyclic bicyclic nucleoside having a 4′-(CH 2 ) 3 -2′ bridge and the alkenyl analog bridge 4′—CH═CH—CH 2 -2′ have been described (Frier et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 1997, 25 (22), 4429-4443 and Albaek et al., J. Org. Chem., 2006, 71, 7731-7740). The synthesis and preparation of carbocyclic bicyclic nucleosides along with their oligomerization and biochemical studies have also been described (Srivastava et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2007, 129 (26), 8362-8379).

In certain embodiments, bicyclic nucleosides include, but are not limited to, (A) α-L-methyleneoxy (4′-CH 2 —O-2′) BNA, (B) β-D-methyleneoxy (4′-CH 2 —O-2′) BNA, (C) ethyleneoxy (4′-(CH 2 ) 2 —O-2′) BNA, (D) aminooxy (4′-CH 2 —O—N(R)-2′) BNA, (E) oxyamino (4′-CH 2 —N(R)—O-2′) BNA, (F) methyl(methyleneoxy)(4′—CH(CH 3 )—O-2′) BNA (also referred to as constrained ethyl or cEt), (G) methylene-thio(4′-CH 2 —S-2′) BNA, (H) methylene-amino (4′-CH 2 —N(R)-2′) BNA, (I) methyl carbocyclic (4′-CH 2 —CH(CH 3 )-2′) BNA, (J) propylene carbocyclic (4′-(CH 2 ) 3 -2′) BNA, and (K) vinyl BNA as depicted below.

wherein Bx is the base moiety and R is, independently, H, a protecting group, C 1 -C 6 alkyl or C 1 -C 6 alkoxy.

In certain embodiments, nucleosides are modified by replacement of the ribosyl ring with a sugar surrogate. Such modification includes without limitation, replacement of the ribosyl ring with a surrogate ring system (sometimes referred to as DNA analogs) such as a morpholino ring, a cyclohexenyl ring, a cyclohexyl ring or a tetrahydropyranyl ring such as one having one of the formula:

In certain embodiments, sugar surrogates are selected having the formula:

wherein:

Bx is a heterocyclic base moiety; T 3 and T 4 are each, independently, an internucleoside linking group linking the tetrahydropyran nucleoside analog to the oligomeric compound or one of T 3 and T 4 is an internucleoside linking group linking the tetrahydropyran nucleoside analog to an oligomeric compound or oligonucleotide and the other of T 3 and T 4 is H, a hydroxyl protecting group, a linked conjugate group or a 5′ or 3′-terminal group;

q 1 , q 2 , q 3 , q 4 , q 5 , q 6 and q 7 are each independently, H, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, substituted C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl or substituted C 2 -C 6 alkynyl; and

one of R 1 and R 2 is hydrogen and the other is selected from halogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, NJ 1 J 2 , SJ 1 , N 3 , OC(═X)J 1 , OC(═X)NJ 1 J 2 , NJ 3 C(═X)NJ 1 J 2 and CN, wherein X is O, S or NJ 1 and each J 1 , J 2 and J 3 is, independently, H or C 1 -C 6 alkyl.

In certain embodiments, q 1 , q 2 , q 3 , q 4 , q 5 , q 6 and q 7 are each H. In certain embodiments, at least one of q 1 , q 2 , q 3 , q 4 , q 5 , q 6 and q 7 is other than H. In certain embodiments, at least one of q 1 , q 2 , q 3 , q 4 , q 5 , q 6 and q 7 is methyl. In certain embodiments, THP nucleosides are provided wherein one of R 1 and R 2 is F. In certain embodiments, R 1 is fluoro and R 2 is H; R 1 is methoxy and R 2 is H, and R 1 is methoxyethoxy and R 2 is H.

Such sugar surrogates include, but are not limited to, what is referred to in the art as hexitol nucleic acid (HNA), altritol nucleic acid (ANA), and mannitol nucleic acid (MNA)(see Leumann, C. J., Bioorg . & Med. Chem., 2002, 10, 841-854).

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds comprise one or more modified cyclohexenyl nucleosides, which is a nucleoside having a six-membered cyclohexenyl in place of the pentofuranosyl residue in naturally occurring nucleosides. Modified cyclohexenyl nucleosides include, but are not limited to those described in the art (see for example commonly owned, published PCT Application WO 2010/036696, published on Apr. 10, 2010, Robeyns et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2008, 130 (6), 1979-1984; Horváth et al., Tetrahedron Letters, 2007, 48, 3621-3623; Nauwelaerts et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2007, 129 (30), 9340-9348; Gu et al., Nucleosides, Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids, 2005, 24 (5-7), 993-998; Nauwelaerts et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 2005, 33 (8), 2452-2463; Robeyns et al., Acta Crystallographica, Section F: Structural Biology and Crystallization Communications, 2005, F61 (6), 585-586; Gu et al., Tetrahedron, 2004, 60 (9), 2111-2123; Gu et al., Oligonucleotides, 2003, 13 (6), 479-489; Wang et al., J. Org. Chem., 2003, 68, 4499-4505; Verbeure et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 2001, 29 (24), 4941-4947; Wang et al., J. Org. Chem., 2001, 66, 8478-82; Wang et al., Nucleosides, Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids, 2001, 20 (4-7), 785-788; Wang et al., J. Am. Chem., 2000, 122, 8595-8602; Published PCT application, WO 06/047842; and Published PCT Application WO 01/049687; the text of each is incorporated by reference herein, in their entirety). Certain modified cyclohexenyl nucleosides have the formula:

wherein:

Bx is a heterocyclic base moiety; T 3 and T 4 are each, independently, an internucleoside linking group linking the cyclohexenyl nucleoside analog to an antisense compound or one of T 3 and T 4 is an internucleoside linking group linking the tetrahydropyran nucleoside analog to an antisense compound and the other of T 3 and T 4 is H, a hydroxyl protecting group, a linked conjugate group, or a 5′- or 3′-terminal group; and q 1 , q 2 , q 3 , q 4 , q 5 , q 6 , q 7 , q 8 and q 9 are each, independently, H, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, substituted C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, substituted C 2 -C 6 alkynyl or other sugar substituent group.

Many other bicyclic and tricyclic sugar surrogate ring systems are also known in the art that can be used to modify nucleosides for incorporation into antisense compounds (see for example review article: Leumann, Christian J., Bioorg . & Med. Chem., 2002, 10, 841-854). Such ring systems can undergo various additional substitutions to enhance activity.

Methods for the preparations of modified sugars are well known to those skilled in the art. Some representative U.S. patents that teach the preparation of such modified sugars include without limitation, U.S.: 4,981,957; 5,118,800; 5,319,080; 5,359,044; 5,393,878; 5,446,137; 5,466,786; 5,514,785; 5,519,134; 5,567,811; 5,576,427; 5,591,722; 5,597,909; 5,610,300; 5,627,053; 5,639,873; 5,646,265; 5,670,633; 5,700,920; 5,792,847 and 6,600,032 and International Application PCT/US2005/019219, filed Jun. 2, 2005 and published as WO 2005/121371 on Dec. 22, 2005, and each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In nucleotides having modified sugar moieties, the nucleobase moieties (natural, modified or a combination thereof) are maintained for hybridization with an appropriate nucleic acid target.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds targeted to a DMPK nucleic acid comprise one or more nucleotides having modified sugar moieties. In certain embodiments, the modified sugar moiety is 2′-MOE. In certain embodiments, the 2′-MOE modified nucleotides are arranged in a gapmer motif.

Modified Nucleobases

Nucleobase (or base) modifications or substitutions are structurally distinguishable from, yet functionally interchangeable with, naturally occurring or synthetic unmodified nucleobases. Both natural and modified nucleobases are capable of participating in hydrogen bonding. Such nucleobase modifications can impart nuclease stability, binding affinity or some other beneficial biological property to antisense compounds. Modified nucleobases include synthetic and natural nucleobases such as, for example, 5-methylcytosine (5-me-C). Certain nucleobase substitutions, including 5-methylcytosine substitutions, are particularly useful for increasing the binding affinity of an antisense compound for a target nucleic acid. For example, 5-methylcytosine substitutions have been shown to increase nucleic acid duplex stability by 0.6-1.2° C. (Sanghvi, Y. S., Crooke, S. T. and Lebleu, B., eds., Antisense Research and Applications, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1993, pp. 276-278).

Additional unmodified nucleobases include 5-hydroxymethyl cytosine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, 2-aminoadenine, 6-methyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-propyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-thiouracil, 2-thiothymine and 2-thiocytosine, 5-halouracil and cytosine, 5-propynyl (—C≡C—CH 3 ) uracil and cytosine and other alkynyl derivatives of pyrimidine bases, 6-azo uracil, cytosine and thymine, 5-uracil (pseudouracil), 4-thiouracil, 8-halo, 8-amino, 8-thiol, 8-thioalkyl, 8-hydroxyl and other 8-substituted adenines and guanines, 5-halo particularly 5-bromo, 5-trifluoromethyl and other 5-substituted uracils and cytosines, 7-methylguanine and 7-methyladenine, 2-F-adenine, 2-amino-adenine, 8-azaguanine and 8-azaadenine, 7-deazaguanine and 7-deazaadenine and 3-deazaguanine and 3-deazaadenine.

Heterocyclic base moieties can also include those in which the purine or pyrimidine base is replaced with other heterocycles, for example 7-deaza-adenine, 7-deazaguanosine, 2-aminopyridine and 2-pyridone. Nucleobases that are particularly useful for increasing the binding affinity of antisense compounds include 5-substituted pyrimidines, 6-azapyrimidines and N-2, N-6 and O-6 substituted purines, including 2 aminopropyladenine, 5-propynyluracil and 5-propynylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds targeted to a DMPK nucleic acid comprise one or more modified nucleobases. In certain embodiments, gap-widened antisense oligonucleotides targeted to a DMPK nucleic acid comprise one or more modified nucleobases. In certain embodiments, the modified nucleobase is 5-methylcytosine. In certain embodiments, each cytosine is a 5-methylcytosine.

Compositions and Methods for Formulating Pharmaceutical Compositions

Antisense oligonucleotides can be admixed with pharmaceutically acceptable active or inert substance for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions or formulations. Compositions and methods for the formulation of pharmaceutical compositions are dependent upon a number of criteria, including, but not limited to, route of administration, extent of disease, or dose to be administered.

Antisense compound targeted to a DMPK nucleic acid can be utilized in pharmaceutical compositions by combining the antisense compound with a suitable pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier. A pharmaceutically acceptable diluent includes phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). PBS is a diluent suitable for use in compositions to be delivered parenterally. Accordingly, in one embodiment, employed in the methods described herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antisense compound targeted to a DMPK nucleic acid and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable diluent is PBS. In certain embodiments, the antisense compound is an antisense oligonucleotide.

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising antisense compounds encompass any pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or salts of such esters, or any other oligonucleotide which, upon administration to an animal, including a human, is capable of providing (directly or indirectly) the biologically active metabolite or residue thereof. Accordingly, for example, the disclosure is also drawn to pharmaceutically acceptable salts of antisense compounds, prodrugs, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of such prodrugs, and other bioequivalents. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to, sodium and potassium salts.

A prodrug can include the incorporation of additional nucleosides at one or both ends of an antisense compound which are cleaved by endogenous nucleases within the body, to form the active antisense compound.

Conjugated Antisense Compounds

Antisense compounds can be covalently linked to one or more moieties or conjugates which enhance the activity, cellular distribution or cellular uptake of the resulting antisense oligonucleotides. Typical conjugate groups include cholesterol moieties and lipid moieties. Additional conjugate groups include carbohydrates, phospholipids, biotin, phenazine, folate, phenanthridine, anthraquinone, acridine, fluoresceins, rhodamines, coumarins, and dyes.

Antisense compounds can also be modified to have one or more stabilizing groups that are generally attached to one or both termini of antisense compounds to enhance properties such as, for example, nuclease stability. Included in stabilizing groups are cap structures. These terminal modifications protect the antisense compound having terminal nucleic acid from exonuclease degradation, and can help in delivery and/or localization within a cell. The cap can be present at the 5′-terminus (5′-cap), or at the 3′-terminus (3′-cap), or can be present on both termini. Cap structures are well known in the art and include, for example, inverted deoxy abasic caps. Further 3′ and 5′-stabilizing groups that can be used to cap one or both ends of an antisense compound to impart nuclease stability include those disclosed in WO 03/004602 published on Jan. 16, 2003.

Cell Culture and Antisense Compounds Treatment

The effects of antisense compounds on the level, activity or expression of DMPK nucleic acids can be tested in vitro in a variety of cell types. Cell types used for such analyses are available from commercial vendors (e.g. American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA; Zen-Bio, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC; Clonetics Corporation, Walkersville, MD) and cells are cultured according to the vendor's instructions using commercially available reagents (e.g. Invitrogen Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA). Illustrative cell types include, but are not limited to, HepG2 cells, Hep3B cells, primary hepatocytes, A549 cells, GM04281 fibroblasts and LLC-MK2 cells.

In Vitro Testing of Antisense Oligonucleotides

Described herein are methods for treatment of cells with antisense oligonucleotides, which can be modified appropriately for treatment with other antisense compounds.

In general, cells are treated with antisense oligonucleotides when the cells reach approximately 60-80% confluence in culture.

One reagent commonly used to introduce antisense oligonucleotides into cultured cells includes the cationic lipid transfection reagent LIPOFECTIN® (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA). Antisense oligonucleotides are mixed with LIPOFECTIN® in OPTI-MEM® 1 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) to achieve the desired final concentration of antisense oligonucleotide and a LIPOFECTIN® concentration that typically ranges 2 to 12 μg/mL per 100 nM antisense oligonucleotide.

Another reagent used to introduce antisense oligonucleotides into cultured cells includes LIPOFECTAMINE 2000® (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA). Antisense oligonucleotide is mixed with LIPOFECTAMINE 2000® in OPTI-MEM® 1 reduced serum medium (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) to achieve the desired concentration of antisense oligonucleotide and a LIPOFECTAMINE® concentration that typically ranges 2 to 12 μg/mL per 100 nM antisense oligonucleotide.

Another reagent used to introduce antisense oligonucleotides into cultured cells includes Cytofectin® (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA). Antisense oligonucleotide is mixed with Cytofectin® in OPTI-MEM® 1 reduced serum medium (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) to achieve the desired concentration of antisense oligonucleotide and a Cytofectin® concentration that typically ranges 2 to 12 μg/mL per 100 nM antisense oligonucleotide.

Another technique used to introduce antisense oligonucleotides into cultured cells includes electroporation.

Cells are treated with antisense oligonucleotides by routine methods. Cells are typically harvested 16-24 hours after antisense oligonucleotide treatment, at which time RNA or protein levels of target nucleic acids are measured by methods known in the art and described herein. In general, when treatments are performed in multiple replicates, the data are presented as the average of the replicate treatments.

The concentration of antisense oligonucleotide used varies from cell line to cell line. Methods to determine the optimal antisense oligonucleotide concentration for a particular cell line are well known in the art. Antisense oligonucleotides are typically used at concentrations ranging from 1 nM to 300 nM when transfected with LIPOFECTAMINE2000®, Lipofectin or Cytofectin. Antisense oligonucleotides are used at higher concentrations ranging from 625 to 20,000 nM when transfected using electroporation.

RNA Isolation

RNA analysis can be performed on total cellular RNA or poly (A)+mRNA. Methods of RNA isolation are well known in the art. RNA is prepared using methods well known in the art, for example, using the TRIZOL® Reagent (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) according to the manufacturer's recommended protocols.

Analysis of Inhibition of Target Levels or Expression

Inhibition of levels or expression of a DMPK nucleic acid can be assayed in a variety of ways known in the art. For example, target nucleic acid levels can be quantitated by, e.g., Northern blot analysis, competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or quantitaive real-time PCR. RNA analysis can be performed on total cellular RNA or poly (A)+mRNA. Methods of RNA isolation are well known in the art. Northern blot analysis is also routine in the art. Quantitative real-time PCR can be conveniently accomplished using the commercially available ABI PRISM® 7600, 7700, or 7900 Sequence Detection System, available from PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA and used according to manufacturer's instructions.

Quantitative Real-Time PCR Analysis of Target RNA Levels

Quantitation of target RNA levels can be accomplished by quantitative real-time PCR using the ABI PRISM® 7600, 7700, or 7900 Sequence Detection System (PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) according to manufacturer's instructions. Methods of quantitative real-time PCR are well known in the art.

Prior to real-time PCR, the isolated RNA is subjected to a reverse transcriptase (RT) reaction, which produces complementary DNA (cDNA) that is then used as the substrate for the real-time PCR amplification. The RT and real-time PCR reactions are performed sequentially in the same sample well. RT and real-time PCR reagents are obtained from Invitrogen (Carlsbad, CA). RT, real-time-PCR reactions are carried out by methods well known to those skilled in the art.

Gene (or RNA) target quantities obtained by real time PCR are normalized using either the expression level of a gene whose expression is constant, such as cyclophilin A, or by quantifying total RNA using RIBOGREEN® (Invitrogen, Inc. Carlsbad, CA). Cyclophilin A expression is quantified by real time PCR, by being run simultaneously with the target, multiplexing, or separately. Total RNA is quantified using RIBOGREEN® RNA quantification reagent (Invitrogen, Inc. Eugene, OR). Methods of RNA quantification by RIBOGREEN® are taught in Jones, L. J., et al, (Analytical Biochemistry, 1998, 265, 368-374). A CYTOFLUOR® 4000 instrument (PE Applied Biosystems) is used to measure RIBOGREEN® fluorescence.

Probes and primers are designed to hybridize to a DMPK nucleic acid. Methods for designing real-time PCR probes and primers are well known in the art, and can include the use of software such as PRIMER EXPRESS® Software (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA).

Analysis of Protein Levels

Antisense inhibition of DMPK nucleic acids can be assessed by measuring DMPK protein levels. Protein levels of DMPK can be evaluated or quantitated in a variety of ways well known in the art, such as immunoprecipitation, Western blot analysis (immunoblotting), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), quantitative protein assays, protein activity assays (for example, caspase activity assays), immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry or fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Antibodies directed to a target can be identified and obtained from a variety of sources, such as the MSRS catalog of antibodies (Aerie Corporation, Birmingham, MI), or can be prepared via conventional monoclonal or polyclonal antibody generation methods well known in the art.

In Vivo Testing of Antisense Compounds

Antisense compounds, for example, antisense oligonucleotides, are tested in animals to assess their ability to inhibit expression of DMPK and produce phenotypic changes. Testing can be performed in normal animals, or in experimental disease models, for example, the HSA LR mouse model of myotonic dystrophy (DM1).

The HSA LR mouse model is an established model for DM1 (Mankodi, A. et al. Science. 289:1769, 2000). The mice carry a human skeletal actin (hACTA1) transgene with 220 CTG repeats inserted in the 3′ UTR of the gene. The hACTA1-CUG exp transcript accumulates in nuclear foci in skeletal muscles and results in myotonia similar to that in human DM1 (Mankodi, A. et al. Mol. Cell 10:35, 2002; Lin, X. et al. Hum. Mol. Genet. 15:2087, 2006). Hence, it is expected that amelioration of DM1 symptoms in the HSA LR mouse by antisense inhibition of the hACTA1 transgene would predict amelioration of similar symptoms in human patients by antisense inhibition of the DMPK transcript.

Expression of CUGexp RNA in mice causes extensive remodeling of the muscle transcriptome, much of which is reproduced by ablation of MBNL1. Hence, it is expected that normalization of the transcriptome in HSA LR mice would predict normalization of the human transcriptome in DM1 patients by antisense inhibition of the DMPK transcript.

For administration to animals, antisense oligonucleotides are formulated in a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, such as phosphate-buffered saline. Administration includes parenteral routes of administration. Following a period of treatment with antisense oligonucleotides, RNA is isolated from tissue and changes in DMPK nucleic acid expression are measured. Changes in DMPK protein levels are also measured.

Splicing

Myotonic dystrophy (DM1) is caused by CTG repeat expansions in the 3′ untranslated region of the DMPK gene (Brook, J. D. et al. Cell. 68:799, 1992). This mutation leads to RNA dominance, a process in which expression of RNA containing an expanded CUG repeat (CUGexp) induces cell dysfunction (Osborne RJ and Thornton CA., Human Molecular Genetics., 2006, 15(2): R162-R169). Such CUGexp are retained in the nuclear foci of skeletal muscles (Davis, B. M. et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94:7388, 1997). The accumulation of CUGexp in the nuclear foci leads to the sequestration of poly (CUG)-binding proteins, such as, Muscleblind-like 1 (MBLN1) (Miller, J. W. et al. EMBO J. 19:4439, 2000). MBLN1 is a splicing factor and regulates the splicing of genes such as Serca1, CIC-1, Titin, and Zasp. Therefore, sequestration of MBLN1 by CUGexp triggers misregulated alternative splicing of the exons of genes that MBLN1 normally controls (Lin, X. et al. Hum. Mol. Genet. 15:2087, 2006). Correction of alternative splicing in an animal displaying such disregulation, such as, for example, in a DM1 patient and the HSA LR mouse model, is a useful indicator for the efficacy of a treatment, including treatment with an antisense oligonucleotide.

Certain Biomarkers

DM1 severity in mouse models is determined, at least in part, by the level of CUGexp transcript accumulation in the nucleus or nuclear foci. A useful physiological marker for DM1 severity is the development of high-frequency runs of involuntary action potentials (myotonia).

Certain Indications

In certain embodiments, provided herein are methods of treating an individual comprising administering one or more pharmaceutical compositions as described herein. In certain embodiments, the individual has type 1 myotonic dystrophy (DM1).

Accordingly, provided herein are methods for ameliorating a symptom associated with type 1 myotonic dystrophy in a subject in need thereof. In certain embodiments, provided is a method for reducing the rate of onset of a symptom associated with type 1 myotonic dystrophy. In certain embodiments, provided is a method for reducing the severity of a symptom associated with type 1 myotonic dystrophy. In certain embodiments, symptoms associated with DM1 include muscle stiffness, myotonia, disabling distal weakness, weakness in face and jaw muscles, difficulty in swallowing, drooping of the eyelids (ptosis), weakness of neck muscles, weakness in arm and leg muscles, persistent muscle pain, hypersomnia, muscle wasting, dysphagia, respiratory insufficiency, irregular heartbeat, heart muscle damage, apathy, insulin resistance, and cataracts. In children, the symptoms may also be developmental delays, learning problems, language and speech issues, and personality development issues.

In certain embodiments, the methods comprise administering to an individual in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound targeted to a DMPK nucleic acid.

In certain embodiments, administration of an antisense compound targeted to a DMPK nucleic acid results in reduction of DMPK expression by at least about 15%, by at least about 20%, by at least about 25%, by at least about 30%, by at least about 35%, by at least about 40%, by at least about 45%, by at least about 50%, by at least about 55%, by at least about 60%, by least about 65%, by least about 70%, by least about 75%, by least about 80%, by at least about 85%, by at least about 90%, by at least about 95% or by at least about 99%, or a range defined by any two of these values.

In certain embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions comprising an antisense compound targeted to DMPK are used for the preparation of a medicament for treating a patient suffering or susceptible to type 1 myotonic dystrophy.

In certain embodiments, the methods described herein include administering a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide having a contiguous nucleobases portion as described herein of a sequence recited in SEQ ID NO: 12-156, 160-770, and 774-792.

Administration

In certain embodiments, the compounds and compositions as described herein are administered parenterally.

In certain embodiments, parenteral administration is by infusion. Infusion can be chronic or continuous or short or intermittent. In certain embodiments, infused pharmaceutical agents are delivered with a pump. In certain embodiments, parenteral administration is by injection (e.g., bolus injection). The injection can be delivered with a syringe.

Parenteral administration includes subcutaneous administration, intravenous administration, intramuscular administration, intraarterial administration, intraperitoneal administration, or intracranial administration, e.g., intrathecal or intracerebroventricular administration. Administration can be continuous, or chronic, or short, or intermittent.

In certain embodiments, the administering is subcutaneous, intravenous, intracerebral, intracerebroventricular, intrathecal or another administration that results in a systemic effect of the oligonucleotide (systemic administration is characterized by a systemic effect, i.e., an effect in more than one tissue) or delivery to the CNS or to the CSF.

The duration of action as measured by inhibition of alpha 1 actin and reduction of myotonia in the HSA LR mouse model of DM1 is prolonged in muscle tissue including quadriceps, gastrocnemius, and the tibialis anterior (see Examples, below). Subcutaneous injections of antisense oligonucleotide for 4 weeks results in inhibition of alpha 1 actin by at least 70% in quadriceps, gastrocnemius, and the tibialis anterior in HSA LR mice for at least 11 weeks (77 days) after termination of dosing. Subcutaneous injections of antisense oligonucleotide for 4 weeks results in elimination of myotonia in quadriceps, gastrocnemius, and the tibialis anterior in HSA LR mice for at least 11 weeks (77 days) after termination of dosing.

In certain embodiments, delivery of a compound of composition, as described herein, results in at least 70% down-regulation of a target mRNA and/or target protein for at least 77 days. In certain embodiments, delivery of a compound or composition, as described herein, results in 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100% down-regulation of a target mRNA and/or target protein for at least 30 days, at least 35 days, at least 40 days, at least 45 days, at least 50 days, at least 55 days, at least 60 days, at least 65 days, at least 70 days, at least 75 days, at least 76 days, at least 77 days, at least 78 days, at least 79 days, at least 80 days, at least 85 days, at least 90 days, at least 95 days, at least 100 days, at least 105 days, at least 110 days, at least 115 days, at least 120 days, at least 1 year.

In certain embodiments, an antisense oligonucleotide is delivered by injection or infusion once every 77 days. In certain embodiments, an antisense oligonucleotide is delivered by injection or infusion once every month, every two months, every three months, every 6 months, twice a year or once a year.

Certain Combination Therapies

In certain embodiments, a first agent comprising the modified oligonucleotide of the invention is co-administered with one or more secondary agents. In certain embodiments, such second agents are designed to treat the same type 1 myotonic dystrophy as the first agent described herein. In certain embodiments, such second agents are designed to treat a different disease, disorder, or condition as the first agent described herein. In certain embodiments, such second agents are designed to treat an undesired side effect of one or more pharmaceutical compositions as described herein. In certain embodiments, second agents are co-administered with the first agent to treat an undesired effect of the first agent. In certain embodiments, second agents are co-administered with the first agent to produce a combinational effect. In certain embodiments, second agents are co-administered with the first agent to produce a synergistic effect.

In certain embodiments, a first agent and one or more second agents are administered at the same time. In certain embodiments, the first agent and one or more second agents are administered at different times. In certain embodiments, the first agent and one or more second agents are prepared together in a single pharmaceutical formulation. In certain embodiments, the first agent and one or more second agents are prepared separately.

Non-Limiting Disclosure and Incorporation by Reference

While certain compounds, compositions and methods described herein have been described with specificity in accordance with certain embodiments, the following examples serve only to illustrate the compounds described herein and are not intended to limit the same. Each of the references recited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Example 1: Antisense Inhibition of Human Dystrophia Myotonica Protein Kinase (DMPK) in Human Skeletal Muscle Cells (hSKMC)

Antisense oligonucleotides targeted to a human DMPK nucleic acid were tested for their effect on DMPK RNA transcript in vitro. Cultured hSKM cells at a density of 20,000 cells per well were transfected using electroporation with 100 nM antisense oligonucleotide. After approximately 24 hours, RNA was isolated from the cells and DMPK RNA transcript levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR with human primer probe set RTS3164 (forward sequence AGCCTGAGCCGGGAGATG, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 9; reverse sequence GCGTAGTTGACTGGCGAAGTT, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 10; probe sequence AGGCCATCCGCACGGACAACCX, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 11). DMPK RNA transcript levels were adjusted according to total RNA content, as measured by RIBOGREEN®. Results are presented as percent inhibition of hDMPK, relative to untreated control cells.

The antisense oligonucleotides in Tables 1 and 2 are 5-10-5 gapmers, where the gap segment comprises ten 2′-deoxynucleosides and each wing segment comprises five 2′-MOE nucleosides. The internucleoside linkages throughout each gapmer are phosphorothioate (P═S) linkages. All cytosine residues throughout each gapmer are 5-methylcytosines. ‘Target start site’ indicates the 5′-most nucleoside to which the antisense oligonucleotide is targeted. ‘Target stop site’ indicates the 3′-most nucleoside to which the antisense oligonucleotide is targeted. All the antisense oligonucleotides listed in Table 1 target SEQ ID NO: 1 (GENBANK Accession No. NM_001081560.1). All the antisense oligonucleotides listed in Table 2 target SEQ ID NO: 2 (the complement of GENBANK Accession No. NT_011109.15 truncated from nucleotides 18540696 to 18555106).

Several antisense oligonucleotides demonstrated significant inhibition of human DMPK mRNA levels under the conditions specified above.

The antisense oligonucleotides from Tables 1 and 2 were also tested in an assay with similar conditions as described above, and mRNA levels measured with the human primer probe RTS3162 (forward sequence CGGGCCGTCCGTGTT, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 157; reverse sequence CTTTGCACTTTGCGAACCAA, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 158; probe sequence CATCCTCCACGCACCCCCACCX, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 159). The results are presented in Table 3. DMPK mRNA expression was also assessed by RTS3162 which targets the DMPK gene near the 3′UTR. The use of a second primer probe was employed to confirm that the expression of the entire DMPK gene had been inhibited