The oncogene c-Jun has been found to be up-regulated
in a variety of cancers including osteosarcoma. DNA
enzymes (DNAzymes) are oligonucleotides capable of
specific catalysis of target mRNA. A c-Jun DNAzyme
inhibited the growth and metastasis of osteosarcoma
in an orthotopic spontaneously metastasizing model
of the disease. c-Jun down-regulation–mediated
apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells involved caspase-1,
caspase-2, and caspase-8, but not the Fas/FasL
pathway. Clinically, knockdown of c-Jun with
DNAzymes may proffer an improved treatment
outcome for these tumors originating in bone.  A correction to this article has also been published.