Diffusion Pharmaceuticals » Hypoxia and Hypoxic Conditions

Hypoxia and Hypoxic Conditions

Hypoxia, or lack of oxygen to tissue, is a common underlying factor in morbidity and mortality for numerous serious medical conditions. There is a substantial unmet need for a pharmacological treatment for hypoxia.

When deprived of oxygen, cells quickly begin to die
Severe hypoxia can result in loss of consciousness, tissue necrosis, neurological incapacitation, or death
Acute hypoxia occurs with hemorrhage or when the flow of oxygenated blood to a local region is restricted by trauma, an embolus such as a blood clot, or atherosclerosis, such as peripheral arterial disease or stroke
Hypoxia makes cancerous tumor tissue resistant to conventional cancer therapies

The potential clinical applications for a novel therapy that addresses hypoxia are significant.

Critical/Acute Care: Stroke, heart attack, trauma, hemorrhage
Chronic Care: Cardiovascular disease, respiratory disorders, peripheral arterial disease
Oncology: Radiosensitizer to enhance radiation therapy for cancerous tumors

Potential Indications for TSC
A novel treatment for hypoxic conditions, such as TSC, could have wide clinical application.

Treatment of Cancerous Tumors in Conjunction with Radiation Therapy

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

Stroke, Cardiovascular, and Respiratory Disease

Trauma and Hemorrhagic Shock

Background

Cancerous tumors often grow faster than their ability to form new blood vessels, leading to hypoxic cells.

The non-responsiveness of cancerous tumors to radiation therapy is linked to oxygen deficiency within the cells of the tumor.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) refers to the narrowing of blood vessels outside of the heart and brain.

This often occurs when fatty deposits build up in the inner lining of artery walls.

The American Heart Association estimates that PAD affects up to 12 million Americans.

Ischemic conditions caused by stroke, myocardial infarction or respiratory disease:

–Strokes affect 600,000 to 750,000 Americans each year

–Cardiovascular disease affects ~22 million Americans and is the leading cause of death in the U.S.

–Respiratory disease covers a wide range of conditions, ranging from asthma to emphysema

Hemorrhagic shock occurs when blood loss exceeds the body’s ability to compensate and provide adequate tissue oxygenation.

Death due to blood loss is the major cause of death on the battlefield.

Opportunity

Preclinical data show TSC improves oxygenation of the tumor, increasing the effectiveness of radiation therapy, thus increasing survival.

TSC may improve oxygenation of muscle tissue and relieve the pain of peripheral arterial disease in both acute and chronic situations.

Pre-clinical data indicate TSC improves oxygenation in each of these conditions.

Preclinical data show TSC acts as a resuscitation agent in severe blood loss or other trauma, improving oxygenation and preventing tissue damage, increasing survival.