Radio Protection

ISM Therapeutics is developing ISMs drugs for radioprotection that will be:

A safe compound (based on homology to normal intrinsic cell signaling molecules) with an acceptable therapeutic index (substantial efficacy in the face of low or no toxicity)
A small molecule that is cost-effective to manufacture and deliver
A drug with utility at low doses that could be used prophylactically prior to exposure or concomitant to exposure and at multiple times over weeks to months (if necessary)
A drug that would take advantage of normal cell processes to stimulate and regulate DNA-repair
A drug that could positively affect all cell types and could potentially enhance immune function
A drug that could act in combination or synergistically with other bone marrow restoring agents

In October 2006, ISM Therapeutics received a $1.1M government contract from the Department of Defense to develop an ISM-based radioprotection drug.

In normal cells, intrinsic mechanisms exist to repair radiation-induced damage through activation of intracellular signaling pathways. Intracellular signaling is used by the cell to control information flow and subsequent growth, life and cell division. The repair signaling pathways are normal and present in all cells. They continually operate at low levels in an oversight mode to monitor and repair low levels of damage to the DNA. The effectiveness of these repair mechanisms can vary with genetic background and the intensity of exposure and are often insufficient to deal with larger doses of radiation. Inositol signaling molecules (ISMs) are key components of intracellular signaling and figure prominently in the regulation of radiation repair mechanisms. ISMs regulate activity of proteins in radiation response and DNA repair pathways by facilitating double stranded break (DSB) repair and non-homologous end joining.

Radioprotection