Polymer Therapeutic Protects Gut From Radiation Damage, Infection After Cancer Treatment

A non-absorbed, oral co-polymer therapy under development by Midway Pharmaceuticals demonstrated the ability to protect against damage to healthy gastrointestinal tissues and to prevent lethal bacterial infections in animal models of radiation damage. The results suggest the compound, a high molecular weight co-polymer of polyethylene glycol (PEG), may provide a new way to prevent serious GI side effects of radiation in patients receiving fractionated radiotherapy for abdominal cancers or in accidental exposures to harmful radiation.

The new results are published online and in the December issue of the American Journal of Physiology by John Alverdy, MD, Director, Center for Surgical Infection Research, University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine and colleagues at the University of Chicago, and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Surgical Service. Dr. Alverdy is a founder of Midway Pharmaceuticals, an emerging specialty pharmaceutical company that is developing the polymer commercially for GI diseases, cancer supportive care and other indications.

source: Medical News Today