Smad7 use in oral mucositis treatment

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Summary Oral mucositis, a severe oral ulceration, is a common toxic effect of radio- or chemoradio-therapy and a limiting factor to using the maximum dose of radiation for effective cancer treatment. About 17.9 millionadults have been diagnosed with cancer in the United States, which is ~7.9% of the total population. At least 40%, and up to 70%, of individuals treated with standard chemotherapy regimens or upper-body radiation develop oral mucositis. To date, there is no FDA approved drug to treat oral mucositis in cancer patients. The key challenge for oral mucositis treatment is to repair and protect ulcerated oral mucosa without promoting cancer cell growth. Drs. Wang and Zhang have collaborated with Taiga's scientistDr. Refaeli to develop a Smad7 fusion protein containing human Smad7 fused to the HIV-1 Tat protein transduction domain (PTD). The Tat-Smad-7 protein can rapidly penetrate cells. Local Tat-Smad7 application to mouse oral mucosa shows prophylactic and