Purpose of review: In this paper, we will review the recent advances in antisense oligonucleotide therapy in the treatment of superficial bladder cancer. Bladder cancer has an exciting potential as a model to study antisense oligonucleotide therapy because of the ease of accessibility of treatment, ease of diagnosis through biopsy and urine cytology, and direct observation of treatment efficacy through cystoscopy and posttreatment biopsy.
Recent findings: We will elaborate on the recent developments in the delivery of antisense oligonucleotide and the implications of these results on the use of antisense oligonucleotide intravesically. We will also discuss recent preclinical in-vitro results of antisense oligonucleotide therapy in different bladder cancer cell lines.
Summary: Recent developments of the in-vitro and animal in-vivo effectiveness of antisense treatment in bladder cancer provide the foundation to pursue future phase I clinical trials. Antisense oligonucleotide technology is a promising tool that may become an effective method of treating bladder cancer.