Naked antisense double-stranded DNA oligonucleotide efficiently suppresses BCR-ABL positive leukemic cells.

Oligonucleotide-based gene silencing, using molecules such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small interfering RNA, and aptamers, is widely studied. Another approach uses DNA/RNA heteroduplex oligonucleotides (HDOs). Here, we developed an antisense double-stranded DNA oligonucleotide (ADO) by modification of the complementary RNA in an HDO to generate DNA for increasing resistance to nucleases.