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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.

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    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?



    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments



    Guest Jen

    We vaccinate our kids for a variety of things they may never get. It would be wonderful to do so for something they do have so they can avoid the serious and long term affects that even hidden gluten cause.

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    Guest Jill

    I would rather still eat gluten free, but have something available that could be taken prior eating out or special celebrations that would break down (cross-contamination) gluten proteins prior to it reaching the intestines. I don't know that I'd risk side effects of a vaccine, but living a more normal social life without the fear of cross-contamination would make all the difference!

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    Guest LYNN ASHCROFT

    Posted

    I too would be happy to part of a trial if held in southeast Virginia area.

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    Guest ANN

    NEVER!

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    Guest Maggie

    Posted

    I would absolutely love to be a part of this!!! I was so sick for years before being diagnosed, now it's come "full circle" so to speak, everything gluten-containing is looking so good!!

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    Guest Ed D

    I too, am a feel a little hesitant in celebrating a vaccine for food with gluten. I am on various medications and am currently dealing with a problem that is possibly a side effect from one of them. I just don't know currently which med it is. I live in Chicago and recently had the opportunity to get involved in a test to block gluten. I declined because some of the people involved might be given a placebo. I was recently re-tested and found my villi have grown back, why would I or any celiac want to resubmit to such an unhealthy situation. It might be better if some of the readers would rethink their willingness to be a medical guinea pig. And yes the drug companies make big money off of people who have health issues. Case in point Epi pens!

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    Guest Christine Heynen

    Posted

    I have a wait and see approach. If I hear that the vaccine has an overall satisfactory result (meaning that 99% of people with celiac disease respond well to the vaccine, I will definitely ask my GP for her thoughts on it and consider getting it. But if the vaccine makes people sicker than what they would experience after eating gluten, I would definitely pass on it. I would give anything to be able to eat whatever I want again and cut down on my grocery bill. But if it isn't meant to be, I'm not going to hold my breath waiting. So we'll see.

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    Guest Victoria

    Posted

    A vaccine would certainly make travel and eating out easier, but I would not take the risk because of long-term unknowns. I hope for those interested, though, that it pans out. For the most part, I have come to look at my celiac disease as - the things I can't eat are pretty much the things I shouldn't eat anyway: cake, cookies, bagels, pizza, etc. While label reading to look for hidden sources can be a nuisance, I generally find brands I like, keep tabs on their ingredients, and don't stray too much.

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    Guest Rebecca Snyder

    Posted

    You know, although I am celiac, I find that minute quantities of gluten do not affect me that much. My husband, who is not celiac, doesn't care for most of my gluten-free alternatives; that means a vaccine treatment would be a great help.

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    Guest Paula

    Copied from immusanT website: "GFD is not a desirable or healthy diet unless there is a medical need to avoid gluten, as the glycemic content and poor nutritional value may lead to increased risk for metabolic syndrome. A disease-modifying approach that resets the immune system when exposed to gluten would allow patients to return to good health and improved quality of life."

    Really? Even as a sole reason this would be reason enough for me not to support this company. I hate when people lie to prove their point. But there are other reasons. Mainly it focuses on gliadin tolerance on antibodies level, and symptoms sometimes appear up to several years before elevated antibodies can be detected. So even if this vaccine works in the eyes of scientists, it might not reduce the symptoms at all, just move you from the celiac patient group into non-celiac gluten intolerance group that is still regarded as mere hypochondriacs by many doctors.

    So on my part, no thanks!

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    Guest coloradosue

    Posted

    The Real Question is: Do you like to Gamble? That is what we are being asked to do with something very precious... your life. This so-called vaccine was created to what? To stop a reaction, prevent a reaction, minimize a reaction? Is this vaccine based on key genetic factors that you may or may not be a match to? Every person here needs to know the answer to this and other questions that will asked by the celiac community. I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2004 after a severe bout with double pneumonia (my celiac disease turned on by a virus). Since that time, I have had 9 severe reactions to gluten requiring ER visits with each reaction worse than the next. I have had fire department personnel accuse me of drug overdosing because they have never seen a celiac reaction. Family and friends not truly understanding that we cannot eat that "special" dinner, dessert, or imbeb that holiday drink. Medical personnel who also don't get those mysterious symptoms we have and what we all go through on a daily basis. The sadness I feel knowing that I passed this cursed disease on to my daughter and my grandsons. And the fear of what may develop down the road. So back to the question.. Would I volunteer to participate in the vaccine? I´m 63 years old. Not much more I can do in this life. For my daughter and my grandsons, and others born tonight, yes I would.

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    Guest Sue Nobles

    Posted

    I am in my 60's and was diagnosed as celiac 7 years ago and I would be first to volunteer for the vaccine! This disease has been very difficult for me to adjust to. I truly miss good bread. Being raised on a farm, we had fresh, homemade bread, cookies, pies and cakes and I miss the memories I experience when eating these gluten rich foods. And don't get me started on the pasta, although that has been improved by leaps and bounds . But sadly the most important reason for me is economics, I just cannot afford the prices of most gluten-free foods.

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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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