Oncology Supportive Care (Mucositis)
Oral and Gastrointestinal Mucositis Models
Mucositis is a dose-limiting side-effect of many cancer therapies. Interruption of gastrointestinal cell production by a cytotoxic agent can result in a breach of the mucosal barrier. If sufficient epithelial stem cells are killed, severe, debilitating ulceration and diarrhoea can arise. Commercially available models for oral and intestinal mucositis are not readily available; however, three decades of ground-breaking research led by Epistem's founders have culminated in Epistem's preclinical mucositis platform.
To date, over 20 companies have accessed Epistem's preclinical mucositis platform, which incorporates:
Epistem is a member of the NIH Biodefence Consortium, being the sole provider of models to identify novel agents for the treatment of gastrointestinal tract damage following exposure to irradiation.
Epistem also specialises in gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity, elucidating whether an agent has the potential to affect GI stem cells. This preclinical information can provide an early indication of potential GI toxicity in the clinical phases.