Saw a few articles (
ABC News,
Geek System) about a study in Melbourne that identified several proteins that cause Celiac Disease. There are apparently three or four different protein fragments that can trigger the disease. Celiac is caused due to an allergic reaction to these proteins. The researchers hope to create an immunotherapy treatment where patients can build up immunity to those proteins. Very interesting development and certainly gives hope for the more than 2 million people in the US that suffer from the disease.
Here's an excerpt about the potential immunotherapy treatment:
Professor Anderson says the findings are being used to develop a new class of drugs, called peptide-based immunotherapy.
This involves injecting patients with a small amount of the toxic peptides to "desensitise" their body to them.
The researchers say the first phase of trials of the therapy to assess safety and tolerability were completed in June, and final results are expected in coming months.
Definitely great news.
