Radiation countermeasure agents: an update (2011-2014).

Area of Science:

• Radiation countermeasures
• Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) treatment

Background:

• No FDA-approved radiation countermeasure for ARS exists despite 60 years of research.
• Protecting the public from lethal radiation exposure is a high-priority government need.

Purpose of the Study:

• Review recent developments in potential ARS treatments.
• Focus on advanced development of existing agents and new countermeasures since 2011.

Main Methods:

• Review of relevant publications and patents.
• Emphasis on agents developed or advanced since 2011.

Main Results:

• Seven potential ARS countermeasures have received FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) status.
• Four agents (CBLB502, Ex-RAD, HemaMax, OrbeShield) are in large animal studies and clinical trials.

Conclusions:

• Promising radiation countermeasures are progressing through development.
• G-CSF shows potential for myelosuppression treatment and may gain FDA approval.