Medical Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats

Skin, Eyes, and Mucous Membranes

Long-Term Goals

• Develop novel therapeutic strategies, including reactive therapeutic compounds, to prevent blister formation and inflammatory effects in skin and eyes
• Evaluate the effectiveness of new immunotherapeutic compounds and their applicability in the treatment of injuries caused by acids, alkalis, or sulfur mustard
• Identify the mechanisms of action of specific chemical agents and their sites of injury to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, from the systemic to the molecular level
• Investigate the healing mechanisms following chemical injury, and identify novel ways of accelerating the recovery process
• Identify and utilize information about the mechanisms of action of vesicants on tissues, organs, and the hematopoetic system for the development of therapeutic interventions
• Evaluate novel therapeutic strategies for acid- and alkali-induced injuries
• Identify biological markers consistent with exposure to various types of chemical agents and levels of exposure to such agents
• Evaluate “reactive” or “catalytic” skin protectants for use in civilian populations, such as first responders who must operate in a contaminated environment
• Evaluate decontamination approaches for patients with open-wound injuries, and identify novel opportunities for medical intervention
• Develop practical therapies that can be administered easily and safely to decontaminate the skin during mass casualty situations

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