Anadis to initiate trial of cancer mucositis drug

Melbourne, Australia-based biotechnolopgy firm Anadis plans to initiate a clinical study to demonstrate the impact of its orally-administered polyclonal antibody formulation on chemotherapy-related mucositis, a major clinical problem in cancer patients characterized by intestinal tissue destruction throughout the gastro-intestinal tract, including painful mouth ulcerations.

Seen in approximately 40% of chemotherapy patients, chemotherapy-related mucositis usually occurs within two weeks of initiation of many chemotherapy regimens. Mucositis can lead to dysphagia (painful swallowing), weight-loss, infection and sepsis. It is a leading cause of discontinuation of chemotherapy treatment. Radiation therapy is also a recognized cause of mucosal damage leading to the inflammation and ulceration from mucositis.

Zeil Rosenberg, chief executive of Anadis, said he expects the firm to become a world leader by providing an effective mucositis product. "Our product could reach the market within three to five years. The cancer treatment-induced mucositis market represents a major cause of morbidity and loss of quality of life for cancer patients," he added.