RIG-I Agonists and Methods of Using Same

A polyribonucleic acid (RNA) molecule capable of inducing an interferon response,

• wherein at least one of the following applies:
• (a)
• wherein the RNA molecule is single stranded and comprises a first nucleotide sequence, which 5′-end is conjugated to one end of a linker,
• wherein the other end of the linker is conjugated to the 3′-end of a second nucleotide sequence,
• wherein the linker is free of a nucleoside, nucleotide, deoxynucleoside, or deoxynucleotide, or any surrogates or modifications thereof,
• wherein the first nucleotide sequence is substantially complementary to the second nucleotide sequence,
• wherein the first nucleotide sequence and the second nucleotide sequence can hybridize to form a double-stranded section,
• wherein the number of base pairs in the double stranded section is an integer ranging from 8 to 20,
• whereby the RNA molecule forms a hairpin structure,
• (b)
• wherein the RNA molecule is single stranded and comprises a first nucleotide sequence, which 5′-end is conjugated to one end of an element selected from the group consisting of a loop and a linker,
• wherein the other end of the element is conjugated to the 3′-end of a second nucleotide sequence,
• wherein the first nucleotide sequence is substantially complementary to the second nucleotide sequence,
• wherein the first nucleotide sequence and the second nucleotide sequence can hybridize to form a double-stranded section,
• wherein the number of base pairs in the double stranded section is an integer ranging from 8 to 20,
• whereby the RNA molecule forms a hairpin structure with a 3′-overhang.