The Rise of Celiac Disease Drugs: What Rizevax Means for Patients
The Rise of Celiac Disease Drugs: What Rizevax Means for Patients
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Understanding Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the small intestine. It occurs in genetically predisposed people triggered by ingesting gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When someone with celiac disease eats gluten, their immune system attacks the small intestine. This can cause abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, skin rashes, and other symptoms. The only treatment currently available is a strict lifelong gluten-free diet to avoid triggering the immune response. However, maintaining this diet can be difficult for many, so researchers are actively working on developing new drugs to treat celiac disease.
Gluten Degradation Drugs
One promising direction in the development of Celiac Disease Drugs involves creating therapies that can break down or neutralize gluten before it is absorbed in the small intestine. Several such drugs, currently in clinical trials, are designed to degrade gluten peptides and prevent them from triggering the autoimmune response associated with celiac disease.
Some of these experimental Celiac Disease Drugs specifically target various types of gluten proteins such as alpha, beta, gamma, and omega gliadin, while others function by breaking the molecular bonds that hold gluten together. Early-stage trials have shown that these drugs may help alleviate symptoms when taken alongside gluten-containing meals.
Barrx Medical is testing a drug called Larazotide acetate that works by sealing tight junctions between cells in the small intestine during gluten digestion. This is meant to prevent large gluten peptides from entering the bloodstream and triggering an immune response while allowing nutrients to still be absorbed. Phase 3 clinical trials have shown larazotide can significantly reduce gluten-induced symptoms compared to placebo. If approved, it would be the first prescription medication available for celiac disease.
Blocking Gluten Peptide Binding
Another strategy is to develop drugs that block gluten peptides from binding to tissues in the small intestine where they normally stimulate an immune reaction. Several candidates aim to inhibit the binding of gluten peptides to the HLA-DQ2/DQ8 receptors on antigen presenting cells. By preventing this initial step in the immune cascade, the hope is gluten ingestion would not result in damage to intestinal villi.
Rodeo Therapeutics is evaluating an injectable biologic called RT-100 that utilizes this mechanism of action. Early trials looked promising, with RT-100 both reducing immune activation markers and improving gastrointestinal symptoms after gluten challenges. The drug is now in Phase 2 testing to confirm safety and efficacy.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Rather than preventing gluten from triggering an immune response, some drugs aim to quell the inflammation once it is initiated. These function similar to existing treatments for inflammatory bowel diseases.
For example, Kinyon Bio has developed KIN001, an oral pill containing low doses of budesonide, an oral corticosteroid. Budesonide helps reduce inflammation locally in the GI tract with less concern for systemic side effects compared to other steroids. Results from a Phase 2 trial showed KIN001 significantly decreased several markers of intestinal damage and inflammation after gluten challenges. The mild, topical anti-inflammatory properties may provide an alternative for refractory celiac cases.
Another class of anti-inflammatory being tested is Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, such as copyright's abrocitinib. By blocking JAK signaling pathways, these drugs suppress production of various pro-inflammatory cytokines thought to drive celiac disease pathology. Early data indicates JAK inhibitors may help restore gut barrier integrity and minimize gluten-induced systemic inflammation, offering a potential new treatment avenue.
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About Author:
Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)
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