Gluten-Specific Enzyme: Answer To A Prayer From Celiac Sufferers?

A new Finnish study suggests for the first time that there may be a non-dietary therapy for celiac disease sufferers.  Half of the participants in the study were given a dose of the gluten-specific enzyme ALV003 each time a small amount of gluten – a protein found in wheat, barley and rye – was eaten. It is very difficult for celiac sufferers to completely avoid gluten because of cross-contamination in food processing. The enzyme decreased gluten-induced intestinal injury without adverse side effects. The control group experienced gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and abdominal pain. The researchers have launched a 500-patient clinical trial to further test the benefits of ALV003.