These preclinical data were recently presented at a meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncologists meeting. Ulcerative colitis affects about 325,000 people in the US and 225,00 in Europe and Japan. Ulcerative colitis is a relapsing and remitting chronic disease characterized by acute inflammation of the colorectal mucosa in the gastrointestinal tract. The primary cause of the disease is unknown. People with ulcerative colitis experience symptoms including abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, persistent diarrhea, fever and fatigue.
Ulcerative colitis is a devastating disease that impacts patients' daily lives.
Both patients and clinicians are looking for new treatment approaches. Now that this IND has cleared, we anticipate patient enrollment will begin shortly. Inc. Repifermin is currently the subject of two other Phase II human clinical trials. One recently completed trial found that topically-applied repifermin is well tolerated and active for patients suffering from chronic venous ulcers. The second trial will evaluate repifermin's safety and ability to prevent mucositis when injected into patients about to undergo chemotherapy in preparation for bone marrow transplantation.