Celiac Disease
Celiac disease affects between 2 to 13 per 100,000, and may appear at any time in a person's life. It is an inheritable autoimmune disorder that increases the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, and is hallmarked by malabsorption, resulting in diarrhea and malnutrition.
Classical symptoms of Celiac disease include abdominal pain, flatulence, bloating and chronic diarrhea or constipation (or both). If Celiac disease is left untreated, it can become life-threatening.
Etiology
Celiac disease mainly develops in people who have a genetic susceptibility.
In Celiac disease patients, an immunologic reaction to the ingestion of gluten (proteins found in all forms of wheat and related grains) damages the intestinal villi and the mucosal surface of the small intestine. These damaged villi no longer effectively absorb basic nutrients, causing an increased risk of associated disorders such as osteoporosis and vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Standard Care
The only treatment for Celiac disease is lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet.
ActoGeniX’s Solution
ActoGeniX has already obtained promising initial efficacy data for the effect of ActoBiotics™ in a preclinical Celiac disease model, resulting in the induction of tolerance to gluten.