Patent ID: 8722640

Claim:
A cyclic double-stranded STAT3 oligonucleotide decoy, wherein (i) the decoy comprises an oligonucleotide, or an analog thereof, having the sequence 5′-(N 6 -) n CAN 1 TTCN 2 CN 3 TN 4 AN 5 TC-(N 7 -) m -3′, (SEQ ID NO:1), wherein N 3 is G; N 1 , N 2 , N 4 and N 5 are A, T, G or C; one, two, three or all of the following conditions are met: N 1 , is T; N 2 is C; N 4 is A and N 5 is A; and N 6 and N 7 are A, T, G or C and n and m are independently 0-50; (ii) the two strands are joined by hexa-ethyleneglycol spacers at both ends; (iii) the decoy binds to STAT3 protein under physiologic conditions and interferes with STAT3 binding to its target sequence; and (iv) the decoy has a serum half-life of greater than about 4 hours.