Testing novel compounds to prevent peritoneal adhesions

Peritoneal adhesions are the leading cause of the postoperative bowel occlusions and are often associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates. There is no successful treatment developed yet and adhesion re- operations are only a temporary solution. Thus, there is a strong unmet clinical need to develop novel therapies to help patients. We developed a method to visualize adhesion formation in a mouse model and this method also allows us to monitor how administering a blocking molecule prevents this process. We recently discovered that an immune cell called the macrophage causes the adhesions to form, and we were able to prevent this by blocking specific receptors on these macrophages called scavenger receptors with a molecule polyinosinic acid (PolyI). While we have a core molecule that blocks the adhesions, the Kubes lab in a collaboration with a biotech start-up Medhesion Inc. aims to make better versions of this molecule so that it has less side effects and blocks adhesion formation more efficiently. Our goal is to develop a drug that could be given at the end of a surgical operation to all patients to ensure none develop adhesions.

Faculty Supervisor:

Paul Kubes

Student:

Partner:

Medhesions Inc.

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Calgary

Program: