Protecting rectal and anal tissues during radiation with BMX-001
Use of radioprotector in rectal cancer
A drug called BMX-001 aims to protect healthy rectal and anal tissues from radiation damage while helping radiation kill rectal and anal cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11285329 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have rectal or anal cancer, you may get pelvic radiation that can cause long-term problems like bowel fibrosis, incontinence, and bleeding. Researchers are studying BMX-001, a small antioxidant drug that soaks up damaging reactive oxygen species produced by radiation. Early lab and animal work suggests BMX-001 can protect normal rectal tissues from radiation damage while making radiation more effective against cancer cells. The project will study how BMX-001 prevents epithelial damage and reduces chemo-radiation toxicity with the goal of preserving bowel function for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with rectal or anal cancer who are scheduled to receive pelvic radiation, often alongside chemotherapy, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients not receiving pelvic radiation or those with cancers outside the rectal/anal region are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, BMX-001 could reduce long-term bowel and rectal side effects from pelvic radiation and help preserve quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Related antioxidant radioprotectors have shown promise in laboratory and animal studies, and early clinical data for BMX-001 are limited but suggestive.
Where this research is happening
Omaha, United States
- University of Nebraska Medical Center — Omaha, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oberley-Deegan, Rebecca E — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Oberley-Deegan, Rebecca E
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 below.