Gut‑targeted treatment to prevent severe radiation-related intestinal injury
Official title: Development of a Novel Therapeutic for Mitigating Radiation-Induced Microbiome Dysbiosis and Acute Gastrointestinal Syndrome
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11261072 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is developing a gut-targeted drug to help people who suffer high-dose radiation that damages the intestines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $495,545 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI172853-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11261072 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
The ideal candidates would be people exposed to high-dose radiation that causes acute gastrointestinal injury, such as survivors of radiological incidents or certain medical radiation accidents.
✕Less likely to help
People with only low-dose radiation exposure, chronic non-radiation gastrointestinal conditions, or purely hematopoietic radiation effects may not benefit from this gut-targeted approach.
What this research studies
If you were exposed to high-dose radiation, this project aims to develop MIIST305, a medicine designed to act in the gut and reduce intestinal damage. Researchers use animal models and microbiome (16S rRNA) sequencing to track how the drug affects gut bacteria, lowers inflammation, and helps the intestinal lining heal. Early mouse experiments showed improved survival when the drug was given 24 hours after radiation, with less cell death and better tissue regeneration. The team plans to advance these findings toward treatments usable after mass-radiation events or other exposures that cause acute gastrointestinal syndrome.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this drug could reduce gut damage, lower infections, and decrease deaths after large or high-dose radiation exposures.
How similar studies have gone: Similar gut-protective compounds have shown benefit in animal and inflammatory bowel disease models, but there are currently no FDA-approved treatments specifically for radiation-induced GI injury.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Broustas, Constantinos G. — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Broustas, Constantinos G.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.