Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a Japanese pharmaceutical company, recently published encouraging results from a non-clinical study on DONQ52, an experimental medication for celiac disease. The findings show the potential for DONQ52 to block the immune response to gluten in celiac disease without affecting the rest of the immune system.
A separate, first-in-human clinical trial studying DONQ52 in people with celiac disease is currently underway, supported by the Celiac Disease Foundation’s partnership in patient recruitment and screening. If successful, this medication could represent a significant breakthrough in the treatment of celiac disease.
How did they do it?
Researchers created a new antibody called DONQ52 designed to target an immune complex that is known to cause symptoms when people with celiac disease ingest gluten. To determine if DONQ52 could selectively block the immune response to gluten in celiac disease, they performed a series of in vitro and in vivo tests. In vivo refers to experiments conducted within a living organism (in this study, mice), whereas in vitro refers to experiments conducted outside a living organism, typically in a laboratory dish or test tube.
What did they find?
DONQ52 was shown to successfully block the immune reaction to gluten in mice, while leaving the rest of the immune system intact. The researchers found that DONQ52 can recognize different shapes of gluten proteins. This study also highlights the potential advantages of DONQ52 over other TCR (T cell receptor)-like antibodies when targeting HLA-DQ2.5 regarding efficacy, pharmaco*kinetics (the bodily absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs), and safety.
What does this mean? What does this change?
The results support DONQ52 as a promising candidate for further clinical testing in celiac disease. A treatment option that could improve or replace a lifelong gluten-free diet would significantly benefit people with celiac disease. In addition to the cost and challenges of maintaining a strict gluten-free diet, many patients still experience ongoing celiac disease symptoms. Despite their best efforts, accidental gluten exposure is common and can compromise patients’ health and well-being.
A goal of advocating for, exploring, and developing different treatment options is to reduce the burden of living with celiac disease and improve long-term health outcomes. New experimental treatment options, such as DONQ52, hold promise for bettering the lives of those with celiac disease in the future.
Keep reading to learn more about the study and DONQ52.
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