Drug to protect celiac patients against gluten

Experimental new drug reduces effects of gluten for celiac patients on gluten-free diet

A new drug has raised hopes of protecting patients of celiac disease against accidental gluten exposure.

Gluten (meaning glue in latin) is a storage protein found in many grains like wheat, barley, rye and oats. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where gluten intake leads to the damage of intestinal lining leading to decreased absorption of nutrients causing multiple nutritional deficiencies.

The intestinal damage often causes diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, stomach pain or bloating and anemia, and can also lead to other serious complications.

AMG 714 (anti-IL-15 monoclonal antibody), potentially protects celiac patients from inadvertent gluten exposure.

Researchers found that the AMG 714 antibody, which blocks interleukin 15, an important mediator of celiac disease, leads to fewer symptoms following gluten exposure.

In India, celiac disease is suspected to be more prevalent in north India. Diagnosis rate of celiac disease is as low as 5%

Findings of the first phase 2 study of a biologic immune modulator in celiac disease was presented at the ongoing Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) 2018. Inadvertent exposure to gluten can be a frequent occurrence for celiac patients that triggers symptoms. Biologic immune modulators are substances (endogenous substances or drugs) that can modify or change the immune responses in the body.

Celiac is a genetic disorder that runs in families. Worldwide, about 1% of the population is estimated to suffer from it.

In India, celiac disease is suspected to be more prevalent in north India as wheat forms the main staple food in this region. Diagnosis rate of celiac disease is as low as 5% in India. The generally accepted limit of gluten, in ‘gluten free’ labelled foods in most parts of the world is 20 parts per million, i.e. 20 mg of gluten per kg of food. There is presently no guideline pertaining to ‘gluten free’ diet in India. Dietary change is the only known treatment for this condition.

“Contamination, which can happen during food processing or packaging, during cooking, or due to inadequate labelling, is known to occur very frequently, despite following a gluten-free diet. Our hope is that this drug may allow celiac patients on a gluten-free diet to experience fewer gluten-triggered events,” said Francisco Leon, MD, PhD, the study director and consultant for Amgen.