A Cure for Celiac

Words to Know: 
- Nexvax2®: the possible vaccine for celiac disease
- Peptide: A compound consisting of two or more amino acids linked in a chain
- Celiac Disease: autoimmune disease caused by an immune reaction to the gluten protein that is found       in wheat, rye and barley
- Serology: The scientific study or diagnostic examination of blood serum,  with regard to the response of the immune system to pathogens or introduced substances.




     Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that prevents 1 Percent of the world population (67,750, 000 people) from being able to break down the gluten protein that is found in most breads and cakes. the only current remedy is to completely take gluten out of the person's diet. If gluten to much gluten is eaten, it can permanently damage the lining of someone's intestines.  I can say from firsthand experience that having celiac is not pleasant. If I any product that his gluten in it, in more than a small amount, I experience stomach cramps come roughly 5 to 6 hours after eating. Because I have had this all my life, thankfully discovered at a very early age, i was extremely excited about the prospect of their being a vaccine for my malady.


     Dr Bob Anderson from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute started the Faze I trial of a new vaccine, called Nexvax2, in Melbourne, Australia. The vaccine, if it works, would protect people against celiac disease and enable them to fully enjoy "Gluteny" foods. Phase I evaluated the "safety, tolerability and bioactivity" of the vaccine. In a person who has Celiac Disease, they lack the ability to break down three Peptides that are found in Gluten. In testing, the drug was found to reduce and eliminate the effect of these peptides on the subject and did not have harmful side effects. Dr. Anderson shared his results with Digestive Disease Week Symposium in Chicago today (May 8).


     Some side effects of the drug showed in some patients (at the highest doses) were symptoms quite similar to the actual symptoms of Celiac (this however is a good thing, that shows that the drug is using exactly the correct peptides to combat the disease). Because of this, the drug could possibly be used in testing for celiac much more cost effectively than what is being used now. Anderson's company (ImmusanT) is working with INOVA Diagnostics on making serologic tests for celiac using NexVax.




Citation: Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. "Celiac disease vaccine shows promising results in Phase I trial." ScienceDaily, 8 May 2011. Web. 9 May 2011.