Intracellular inactivation of specific nucleotide sequences: a general approach to the treatment of viral diseases and virally-mediated cancers

A general approach is proposed for development of anti-viral complexes capable of specific intracellular inactivation of viral genetic sequences. Such complexes would consist of a specially designed bifunctional crosslinking agent bound to a single-stranded segment of virus-specific nucleic acid (the carrier). Pairing to this complex with its complementary target sequence would generate covalent interstrand crosslinks between carrier and target, thereby irreversibly inactivating the target sequence. Since cells have natural mechanisms for taking up nucleic acids and pairing the newly-taken-up material with complementary sequences within the cell, it is proposed such mechanisms can be exploited for delivery of nucleic acid-agent complexes to their intracellular viral targets. The feasibility of developing and delivering such antiviral complexes is discussed in light of currently available compounds and techniques.