Previous research suggests management of coeliac disease by strictly avoiding dietary gluten may not be entirely effective, while also greatly increasing the burden of the disease. A small number of people with diagnosed coeliac disease are taking part in a phase 1 clinical trial, led by Queensland’s Wesley Research Institute, to evaluate a groundbreaking immunotherapy, FB102, developed by Forte Biosciences as a potential new treatment.
The proprietary molecule, administered intravenously, is designed to reduce the immune response to gluten, which triggers adverse reactions in those with coeliac disease. The treatment aims to deactivate specific immune cells involved in the disease pathway.
If successful, FB102 could offer a groundbreaking alternative to lifelong dietary restrictions, providing relief to millions of people affected worldwide. Further research and peer-reviewed data are required to confirm its potential.
More details, including how to register to participate in the clinical trial, can be found on the Wesley Research Institute website and the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR).
Additional reporting by the Courier Mail can be accessed via the Wesley Research Institute website.
