The Celiac Disease Foundation team recently returned from presenting research at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW), the world’s leading educational forum for gastroenterology, hepatology, GI endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery professionals.  

DDW 2023 was held in Chicago from May 6-9 and showcased some of the latest research and innovations in celiac disease, which included promising early results from four different investigational medications currently being tested for the treatment of celiac disease.  

Access to digital posters and poster abstracts from the conference is now available at the DDW 2023 ePosters site 

Research Highlights Include: 

The Celiac Disease Foundation was pleased to present original research at the conference in partnership with Takeda and Adelphi Real World: 

OAT AVENIN TRIGGERS ACUTE SYMPTOMS AND IMMUNE ACTIVATION IN SOME PEOPLE WITH CELIAC DISEASE BUT ADVERSE IMMUNE AND CLINICAL EFFECTS ARE ABSENT WITH EXTENDED INGESTION 

  • Researchers found that oats are safe for most people with celiac disease, but some patients have a sensitivity to avenin (a protein in oats) which causes temporary celiac-like symptoms and an inflammatory response. Unlike gluten, consuming avenin did not cause intestinal damage over time. Read the abstract. 

PHARMACODYNAMIC DEMONSTRATION OF IMMUNOLOGICAL TOLERANCE INDUCED BY KAN-101, A NOVEL LIVER-TARGETED THERAPY FOR CELIAC DISEASE, PERSISTS FOLLOWING DRUG CLEARANCE 

  • The ACeD Study evaluated KAN-101 as an investigational therapy for celiac disease, which targets the liver to re-educate immune cells so they stop responding to gluten. Phase 1 results showed that KAN-101 successfully demonstrated immune tolerance after a gluten challenge. Read the abstract. 

INTERIM RESULTS FROM A FIRST-IN-HUMAN STUDY OF THE ANTI-IL-15 ANTIBODY CALY-002 FOR TREATING CELIAC DISEASE AND EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS 

  • An ongoing Phase 1 trial is testing the investigational medication CALY-002, which aims to block a protein linked to inflammation in patients with celiac disease. Early results showed that CALY-002 was safe and well-tolerated in healthy volunteers. Read the abstract. 

A BISPECIFIC ANTIBODY TARGETING HLA-DQ2.5-GLUTEN PEPTIDES POTENTLY BLOCKS GLUTEN-SPECIFIC T CELLS INDUCED BY GLUTEN INGESTION IN PATIENTS WITH CELIAC DISEASE 

  • DONQ52, an antibody being developed for the treatment of celiac disease, was shown to be highly effective at blocking immune responses to gluten in wheat. Studies to assess DONQ52’s effect on immune responses to barley and rye are underway. Read the abstract 

FIRST IN HUMAN TRIAL OF IMU-856, AN ORALLY AVAILABLE REGULATOR OF BARRIER FUNCTION FOR THE TREATMENT OF CELIAC DISEASE  

  • This phase 1a clinical trial showed that IMU-856, an investigational medication that aims to restore the gut wall and barrier function in people with celiac disease, was safe and well-tolerated in healthy volunteers. Read the abstract. 

ARE WE BEYOND THE PEAK OF CELIAC DISEASE INCIDENCE IN NORTH AMERICA 

  • Researchers found that while the overall rate of celiac disease seems to be plateauing in Olmsted County, Minnesota, celiac disease incidence rates continue to increase in children under 10. Read the abstract. 

NOVEL INSIGHTS INTO CELLULAR MECHANISMS OF CELIAC DISEASE AUTOIMMUNITY 

  • CDF Young Investigator Prize winner in Basic Science, Dr. Valerie Abadie, presented findings from the first mouse model for celiac disease showing that TG2, HLA-DQ8, and B cells are all required to promote celiac disease. 

Are you interested in participating in celiac disease research? Add your data to our iCureCeliac® patient registry today. iCureCeliac® is a free online platform for patients or their caregivers to provide critical insights into life with celiac disease. Your participation will help create better diagnostic tools and treatments for cross-contact and gluten consumption, governmental policy changes, and access to new and innovative clinical trials nationwide, which may one day cure celiac disease. 

Digestive Disease Week 2023 Highlights