NX002

NephRx’s second lead product involves the discovery and development of a peptide (NX002) from a naturally occurring growth factor AMP-18.  NX002 may serve as a novel therapeutic agent for patients with acute and chronic diseases of the Gastrointestinal Tract. Specifically, NX002 is currently being tested as a treatment for mucositis, a common and extremely painful side effect of chemo- and radiation therapy in cancer patients.

NephRx’s second lead product involves the discovery and development of a naturally occurring growth factor, AMP-18, that can serve as a novel therapeutic agent for patients with acute and chronic diseases of the Gastrointestinal Tract. Specifically, AMP-18 is currently being tested as a treatment for mucositis, a common and extremely painful side effect of chemo- and radiation therapy in cancer patients.

Mucositis is an inflammation and ulceration of the lining of the mouth, throat or gastrointestinal tract most commonly associated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer. In severe cases, Mucositis can be extremely painful, preventing the patient from eating and requiring hospitalization for hydration, narcotic pain medication, and/or total parenteral nutrition. In fact, the pain resulting from mucositis is so severe that it is cited by patients as being the number one reason for discontinuing treatment. Mucositis is caused as a result of a chemotherapy and or radiation insult that disrupts the basal mucosa of the mouth, not just affecting the epithelial layer, but creating damage to the underlying connective tissue as well.

This insult opens channels for bacteria to enter into the bloodstream creating complications to patients who are typically immunocompromised as a result of their treatment. Overall, mucositis affects approximately 15-40 percent of patients receiving standard-dose chemotherapy and 76-100 percent of patients receiving higher doses of chemotherapy in bone marrow transplant. Mucositis also affects virtually all patients receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancer as well as patients receiving radiation along the gastrointestinal tract. Accordingly, mucositis affects over 400,000 patients a year in the US and the incidence is growing as radiation and chemotherapy treatments grow.