Genasense is a new kind of drug developed by Genta that inhibits the production of a protein known as Bcl-2. By reducing production of Bcl-2 in cancer cells, Genasense treatment seeks to restore the basic biological process thereby cancer cells can be readily killed by treatment with current methods of anticancer therapy. This process is called as apoptosis or programmed cell death. There are many key features that underlie Genta's approach to cancer treatment with Genasense. Genta's clinical trials programs focus on pretreating cancer patients with Genasense prior to the administration of anticancer therapy with the aim of potentiating the cancer-killing effects of treatment.

Bcl-2, the protein targeted by Genasense is widely expressed in most common types of cancer. Genta is currently conducting or planning clinical trials in a number of these cancers, including melanoma, acute myeloid leukemia, multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, prostate cancer, and lung cancer.

Multiple preclinical studies have shown that Genasense synergizes with many types of anticancer treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation, monoclonal antibodies and immunotherapy. Based on preclinical data, Genta has conducted, or is currently conducting, preliminary clinical trials using Genasense in combination with: Taxol (Paclitaxel; Bristol Myers Squibb); Camptosar (Irinotecan; Pfizer, Inc); Gleevec (Imatiinib Mesylate; Novartis); Rituxan (Rituximab; Genentech/IDEC); Fludara (Fludarabine; Berlex Laboratories, Inc); Cytoxan (Cyclophosphamide; Bristol Myers Squibb, Inc); Taxotere (Docetaxel; Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Inc); Mylotarg (Gemtuzumab ozogamicin; Wyeth-Ayerst, Inc.); Cytosine arabinoside and Dexamethasone. Genta has announced that the FDA is still considering the company's proposal for confirmatory trial of Genasense Injection in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.