Antisense oligonucleotides directed at the bcl-xl gene product augment chemotherapy response in mesothelioma.

Objective: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is resistant to both conventional chemotherapy and apoptosis. The bcl-2 family proteins are major determinants of apoptotic homeostasis. MPM lines and tumors routinely overexpress the anti-apoptotic protein BCL-XL.