The gluten-free diet could see the end, thanks to a new vaccine that will be available soon, with the potential to relieve people suffering from celiac disease. This chronic disease of the intestine is caused by the consumption of gluten, which damages the small intestine and the digestion, at the same time.
What is celiac disease?
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease due to intolerance to gluten and results in symptoms related to digestion, such as diarrhea, pain and bloating.
In people with celiac disease, ingestion of gluten results in an abnormal immune response in the small intestine, which causes inflammation and damage to the intestinal wall. Indeed, the folds of the intestine called intestinal villi, ignite and flatten and can no longer absorb nutrients, vitamins and minerals. This can result in malnutrition and nutritional deficiency, even if the patient is feeding normally.
Also, in the long run, if celiac disease is not treated properly, health problems can occur such as fatigue, depression or joint pain. But other more serious problems can occur.
Celiac disease, an inherited disease?
If a close family member has celiac disease, the probability of suffering from celiac disease is 20%. The genes in question are called HLA genes of type DQ2 and DQ8. However, the genetic predisposition is not completely sufficient to trigger the disease; to this end, it should be associated with other different factors, including an intestinal infection, trauma, or stress caused by surgery or pregnancy.
How to treat celiac disease
In order for people with this disease to be able to return to good health, it is sufficient that they eliminate, for life, all foods containing gluten to improve their digestion. This treatment, while effective, remains frustrating and disabling for these patients.
The vaccine that preserves gluten exposure
This is the "Nexvax 2" vaccine, developed by researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne, Australia, whose mission is to reprogram the physiological immune response to gluten intake and to increase absorption of any food by the small intestine. In summary, this vaccine will end a strict gluten-free diet, such as wheat, rye, barley or oats.
This study was published in The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and highlighted positive data from two Phase 1 clinical trials.
For this purpose, 4 phase 1 clinical trials confirm the tolerance and bioactivity of the Nexvax 2 vaccine.
Thus, according to Dr. Jason Tye-Din, "Nexvax2" targets gluten-specific cells. More clearly, this vaccine re-educates the body to manipulate gluten without attacking the body. As a result, the immune system will learn to develop gluten tolerance.
Also, this vaccine is likely to change the lives of all people with celiac disease, who could, in particular, aspire to a normal diet without restriction.
Nexvax2 is currently moving into the second stage by researchers recruiting patients who will receive an active injection or placebo by undergoing three dietary trials to further test the vaccine and assess the symptomatic relief that can be achieved. he could procure. The goal is to advance the Nexvax2 for more efficiency.
