> Return to Models

Clinical Background

Proctitis is inflammation of the lining of the rectal mucosa. Proctitis may be either acute or chronic and is a common side effect of medical treatments like radiation therapy, cancer chemotherapy, or treatment with antibiotics. In patients undergoing radiation therapy for prostate cancer, between 5% and 20% will develop significant proctitis symptoms (up to 34,000 cases annually in the US alone). Similar incidences for radiation induced proctitis are reported for patients undergoing radiation therapy for colorectal and gynecologic malignancies. Inflammation of the rectal mucosa may also be related to autoimmune conditions that cause inflammation in the colon or small intestine such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Other known causes of proctitis include rectal injury, bacterial infection, allergies, and malfunction of the nerves to the rectum

Proctitis is diagnosed by examination with a proctoscope or a sigmoidoscope. Biopsies are occasionally taken to confirm a diagnosis and may be tested for infectious agents. A stool sample may also reveal infecting bacteria. If the physician suspects Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, colonoscopy or barium enema X-rays may be used to examine areas of the intestine. Current treatments depend on the cause of proctitis (e.g., antibiotics for bacterial-induced proctitis or 5-aminosalicyclic acid (5-ASA) for Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.)

Animal Model

Biomodels has developed a radiation-induced proctitis rodent model that closely recapitulates the human condition and represents a valuable tool for the evaluation of efficacy and mechanism of action of novel therapeutics. Primary endpoints include endoscopy, in-life evaluation, and histology.

LOG-ON FOR MORE DETAILS.

Photomicrograph showing histological appearance of normal rectal mucosa

Photomicrograph showing histological appearance of inflammed rectal mucosa

> back to top

> Return to Models