Glycosaminoglycans to Treat and Prevent Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): GlycoMira Therapeutics has developed safe and effective anti-inflammatory glycosaminoglycan derivatives and proposes to test the feasibility of using its lead compound to treat or prevent oral mucositis. Mucositis is acommon and debilitating complication of cancer treatment. Cancer patients undergoing radiation or chemotherapy often develop this painful inflammatory disease within a week of starting radio-chemotherapy. The clinical manifestations include ulcers in themouth and gastrointestinal tract, and are exacerbated by opportunistic infections by oral and pathogenic microorganisms. Many patients also suffer from dry mouth due to decreased salivary flow, with pain and difficulty in swallowing, often necessitating installation of a feeding tube. The severity of mucositis frequently results in interruptions to the cancer treatment, dose reductions and even unplanned emergency room visits and hospitalizations. In head and neck cancer treatments, where more than 80%