Though currently there is no cure for celiac disease (following a strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment), that may change in our lifetime, as a potential celiac disease vaccine is being developed and just entered Phase 2 of its trial.
The vaccine, Nexvac2, is being developed by ImmusanT and is the only disease-modifying approach for celiac in clinical development right now. The vaccine is designed to reprogram the T cells that are trigged by a person?s immune response to gluten. Nexvac2 aims to restore immune tolerance to gluten, reduce inflammation in the small intestine and ultimately, allow those with celiac disease to resume eating a diet with gluten in it.
Phase 2 of this trial intends to enroll 150 patients in Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. ?Inadvertent gluten exposures can cause significant and long-term negative impacts on patient health,? said Leslie Williams, chief executive officer of ImmusanT. ?At ImmusanT, we are deeply committed to advancing Nexvac2 to protect celiac patients from the effects of inevitable gluten exposure.?
The vaccination, which is given subcutaneously, is given in small doses at first, then gradually increased so the body builds a resistance to the gluten protein over several months. A malfunctioning TG2 enzyme causes the immune system to attack the lining of the small intestine. This mistaken immune response leads to a host of issues as the body attempts to rid itself of what it considers a poison.
Phase 1 was considered succe...