Therapeutic Potential and Targeted Homing of ECSOD-MSCs in Animal Model of Mucositi

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In the present submission we are requesting funding to support studies designed to assess proof-of-concept for a novel cell-based approach that possesses the potential to concurrently address multiple pathobiologic mechanisms initiated by chemo- + high dose irradiation. The importance of this effort is underscored by fact that oral mucositis is a common side effect of chemo- and radiotherapy especially in patients receiving head and neck radiation. More specifically, ithas been estimated that nearly 40% of all patients treated with standard doses of chemotherapy experience some degree of mucositis while nearly all patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy experience this debilitating side effect. Despite key advances, such as clinical guidelines and increased understanding of the molecular pathways leading to targeted therapeutics mucositis continues to represent an important medical need in many oncology patients especially with recently emergent molecularly targeted