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    Jefferson Adams
    Jefferson Adams

    Would You Try a Vaccine for Celiac Disease?

    Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert.
    Would You Try a Vaccine for Celiac Disease? - Photo: CC--Frank Balsinger
    Caption: Photo: CC--Frank Balsinger

    Celiac.com 08/26/2016 - News that ImmusanT company is beginning full human trials for their celiac disease vaccine, NexVax 2, brought a number of comments from our readers.

    We first reported on their effort way back in 2002, with our story, Australian Researchers Begin Work on a Vaccine for Celiac Disease.

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
    We followed up over the years, with stories in 2009, First Ever Celiac Disease Vaccine Trials Underway in Australia and again in 2011, with articles reporting on the company's efforts to raise investment funds, titled ImmusanT Raises $20 Million in Series A Financing to Advance Immunotherapeutic and Diagnostic for Celiac Disease and on how ImmusanT's Celiac Vaccine Passed Phase I Clinical Trials and in 2012, with Is a Vaccine for Celiac Disease Just Around the Corner?

    Comments generally ran toward the affirmative side, with many people expressing excitement or interest in such a vaccine.

    From Jared M: I hope this research goes well. The bread, crackers and pizza I can live without. But I would really like to be able to drink a good IPA again. The sorghum beers are horrible. I am quickly growing tired of ciders. I would definitely pay for this treatment if it works.

    From Toni: I have celiac. That [a vaccine] would be wonderful.

    From Traci: I would like to be involved in a study for this immunization.

    From Linda Haas: Can't wait to hear more about the progress made on this vaccine...it sounds very promising!

    From Donda: I'm thrilled with the possibility of this coming to market.

    From Muriel Weadick: This is what all celiacs have been waiting for, and I am sure I am not alone in wishing the company success.

    From Suzanne: A vaccine like this would make it easier to eat out and go on vacation.

    Jeanne Burge wrote: I would gladly volunteer for the trials in the US. Hope this works!

    Still, a few comments ran toward the less than glowing side, with some people expressing trepidation, or outright distrust toward such a vaccine.

    From Cathi: My Question is, "What will be the side effects of this turning off the body's ability to fight Gluten?" Will there still be destruction some place else and maybe worse? So, many times a pill is created to help one thing only to find out that it created another problem some place else in the body. Frankly, I am worried.

    From Donna: Absolutely agree with you, Cathi. There is always a problem and side effects with ANY drug! My question is this - WHAT ELSE will be shut off? Will we be even MORE susceptible to other illnesses? I am worried as well!

    From Balm: Thanks but no thanks. I'll remain a celiac and continue to eat healthy. While trying to fix one problem, some will end up with far worse problems.

    From Jonnys: Stupid idea! Just another way to make more money off of people.

    Certainly, those who may have a weakened or compromised immune system should consult with a physician before receiving most vaccines. But, in adults with a healthy immune system, such a vaccine would likely present little or no danger to the recipient. Most people with celiac disease have healthy immune systems, so the likelihood of any adverse reaction will be slight.

    Of course, this is all theoretical, even at this point, as vaccine trials have so far not proven how well the vaccine actually works in preventing or curing celiac disease.

    So, the question is, if such a vaccine is proven safe and effective, would you be open to trying it, or not?



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    Recommended Comments



    Guest Ashley

    Posted

    My son is only 5 and was diagnosed at 15 months old. He is still so young so yes I would be very happy if there was something in the future he could do pending it had been proven safe and all that. So many things I worry about for his future like his teen years, dating, restrictions on employment for ex military if he wanted to.. Just so many "what ifs".. As a mom I would love to make things as easy as possible for him. I feel terrible when he asks me why God made him different and how gluten just looks so good.. I can usually cheer him up and everything will be ok, but it comes up every once in awhile and just breaks my heart. Will continue to follow the research to see where it goes.

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    Guest Kylee

    Yes I would totally be willing to try a vaccine.

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    Guest Margaret

    Posted

    I´m glad to hear about this...a lot of people are being misdiagnosed and don´t know it.

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    Guest Deborah Ross

    Posted

    I think the IDEA is terrific, but I have my doubts concerning the effectiveness of a vaccine for my problem (celiac disease) as well as possible side effects. I am in my 60s and already deal with side effects of a blood pressure medication. Because my pediatrician told my mother that I had "outgrown" celiac when i was 10 years old, I ate a normal diet for about 50 years and then suddenly faced CONSEQUENCES. I feel very lucky to be alive with normal digestion - and strict adherence to a gluten free diet, which I spice up with lots of fruit, veggies, herbs, meats, dairy, good recipes, etc. Another doubt I have about a vaccine is this: celiac disease is not caused by viruses or bacteria. What are we inoculating/what are we inoculating against?

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    Guest Karen

    I wouldn't try the vaccine. There are naturally occurring opioids in wheat that can affect a person mentally and cause other neurological problems. I´m sure the vaccine wouldn't address that aspect.

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    Guest Mary Ann

    Posted

    I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 1957. Knowledge about the disease has come a long long way since then. I would love to be a part of this study.

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    Guest Julie M.

    Posted

    Yes, if they have trials in Columbia, MO I´m interested.

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    Guest Geane A. Lee

    Posted

    Yes I am willing to try it. Is it being done in Tennessee?

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    Guest Linda

    I would definitely want to have the vaccine. However, before proceeding I would also need to know any potential side effects or any other effects it could have on the body. Eating gluten free is limiting especially when traveling.

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    Guest Pam
    My son is only 5 and was diagnosed at 15 months old. He is still so young so yes I would be very happy if there was something in the future he could do pending it had been proven safe and all that. So many things I worry about for his future like his teen years, dating, restrictions on employment for ex military if he wanted to.. Just so many "what ifs".. As a mom I would love to make things as easy as possible for him. I feel terrible when he asks me why God made him different and how gluten just looks so good.. I can usually cheer him up and everything will be ok, but it comes up every once in awhile and just breaks my heart. Will continue to follow the research to see where it goes.

    I agree with you wholeheartedly, Ashley. My son is 9, and was diagnosed when he was 3. I worry about his future as well. Sometimes he'll look at and smell my food, and say that he wishes that he could eat it, and it kills me. He also made me promise that if they do come out with a vaccine, I'll buy him all the gluten foods that he hasn't been able to eat, like Twix and Kit-Kats.

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    Guest Jennifer

    Posted

    I would try it even if only so I could eat gluten free out at restaurants without fear of cross contamination. I get violently ill with the least amount of gluten and so I don't eat out at all. Waiting and waiting for an entirely gluten free restaurant to come to my area. Please...

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    Guest Jason Kravitz

    Posted

    Hello,

    It hasn't been intentional, but many of my travels in the recent years have been to coastal towns or towns very low in elevation. I have found that drinking or eating any products with gluten/wheat in them has caused no adverse reaction to my GI. So long as I do not travel back to higher elevation cities inside of 24 hours of having had gluten, I have no adverse reactions back at home either. I do not know if my cilia feel the same way at the lower elevations when I have ate or drank products containing gluten, but thought it was interesting to note.

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  • About Me

    Jefferson Adams

    Jefferson Adams is Celiac.com's senior writer and Digital Content Director. He earned his B.A. and M.F.A. at Arizona State University. His articles, essays, poems, stories and book reviews have appeared in numerous magazines, journals, and websites, including North American Project, Antioch Review, Caliban, Mississippi Review, Slate, and more. He is the author of more than 2,500 articles on celiac disease. His university coursework includes studies in science, scientific methodology, biology, anatomy, physiology, medicine, logic, and advanced research. He previously devised health and medical content for Colgate, Dove, Pfizer, Sharecare, Walgreens, and more. Jefferson has spoken about celiac disease to the media, including an appearance on the KQED radio show Forum, and is the editor of numerous books, including "Cereal Killers" by Scott Adams and Ron Hoggan, Ed.D.

    >VIEW ALL ARTICLES BY JEFFERSON ADAMS

     


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