Potential New Treatments for Celiac Disease Touted at Digestive Disease Week

Celiac.com 06/21/2023 - Celiac disease, which is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten ingestion, currently lacks effective drug therapies. To recover and remain healthy, everyone with celiac disease must adhere to a strict gluten-free diet throughout their lives. But this approach is expensive, cumbersome, and often falls short in achieving full mucosal healing and symptom control. 

Consequently, researchers are actively seeking innovative treatments that target the underlying mechanisms of the disease. One area of promising research focuses on developing therapies that specifically target gene variants associated with celiac disease, such as the HLA-DQ2 gene.

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Various clinical trials are underway to investigate potential treatments for celiac disease. For example, the investigational drug TPM502 carries gluten-specific antigenic peptides that interact with the HLA-DQ2.5 gene. Another promising drug, KAN-101, aims to restore immune tolerance to gluten by targeting receptors on the liver. It has received Fast Track designation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to its potential in addressing unmet medical needs.

During the annual Digestive Disease Week conference, researchers presented a proof-of-concept study on a bispecific antibody called DONQ52. This antibody targets the HLA-DQ2.5 gene and was found to be highly effective in blocking gluten-specific T cells. 

The study involved 20 patients who consumed wheat, barley, or rye bread for three days. Blood samples taken before and after the trial showed that DONQ52 significantly reduced T-cell responses to gluten peptides, particularly those from wheat.

The development of treatments that selectively bind to the HLA-DQ2.5 gene, which is present in 80%-90% of celiac disease patients, is an attractive approach. DONQ52 specifically binds to HLA-DQ2.5 complexes and blocks the activation of gluten-specific T cells. 

The study demonstrated an impressive reduction in T-cell responses to wheat peptides, with more than 80% effectiveness.

These findings hold promise for the development of novel therapies that could improve the management of celiac disease beyond the limitations of a gluten-free diet. 

The research, funded by Chugai Pharmaceutical, provides hope for the future of celiac disease treatment. However, it's important to note that the drugs involved, including TPM502 and KAN-101, are still undergoing various stages of testing and require further research and regulatory approvals before becoming widely available.

As always, we're hopeful that safe, effective therapies can be developed for treating celiac disease, either with or without, a gluten-free diet.

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