HematopoIesis
Radiation and chemotherapy kill bone marrow stem cells needed to generate white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets that fight infection, carry oxygen and prevent bleeding. The loss of bone marrow stem cells may result in a life-threatening condition known as myelosuppression. Research indicates that Biothera's Imprime WGP™ and Imprime PGG™ accelerate regeneration of bone marrow stem cells, mitigating the extent of myelosuppression and enhancing survival.
Mechanism
A specific receptor on hematopoietic progenitor stem cells binds beta 1,3/1,6 glucan, enhancing responsiveness to endogenous hematopoietic growth factors.
Applications
In addition to its cancer therapies, Biothera is developing its compounds for two hematopoietic recovery applications.
Post Chemotherapy and Radiation
Biothera compounds in combination with growth factors enhance hematopoietic recovery in cancer patients following chemotherapy or radiation treatment. A mechanism involving a specific receptor on hematopoietic progenitor stem cells that binds beta 1,3/1,6 glucan enhances responsiveness to endogenous hematopoietic growth factors.
Radiation Countermeasure
There currently is no FDA-approved therapy to treat bone marrow damage for the U.S. population in the event of a radiological attack or nuclear accident. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) has selected Imprime PGG and Imprime WGP for its Radiation/Nuclear Countermeasures Product Development Program. The program is designed to identify and fully fund development of treatments for inclusion in the national radiation counter measure stockpile. Biothera also was awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Advanced Technology Grant from the NIAID to continue its own phar maceutical development efforts for treatment of myelosuppression. The grant is for Phase I of a five-year $3.6 million program.