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Possible new treatment on the horizon.

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/21/2009 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Scientists make "sugar bug" drug for bowel disease

www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSTRE57J71I20090820
Posted 8/21/2009 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
That's great!
Posted 8/21/2009 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
That is awesome! News like this makes me want to avoid surgery right now if I can - I have a feeling something new has to be coming that is successful for long term remission. Thanks for the link.
Posted 8/21/2009 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Bring it on!
Posted 8/21/2009 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
I hope!! I realllllllllllllllly do.
Posted 8/21/2009 12:08 PM (GMT 0)
There are sooo many more drugs out there now than when I was first diagnosed, and such a better understanding of it all (bacteria, probiotics, etc) - I feel we're on the verge of a major breakthrough! This is exciting!
Posted 8/21/2009 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Greaat, It makes me happy and hopeful
Posted 8/21/2009 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
I like the time frame....finally something under 2 years....many new treatments and drugs are 10+ years away....if this happens in 18 months it would be huge. Sign me up for trials!!
Posted 8/21/2009 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
Interesting! But, typical for me, I want to know more!!! What does the human growth factor that is released do? How does it work?

And, from another standpoint, which I KNOW is off topic, I think it's so interesting how the general public is OK with genetically engineered bacteria which produce medicines, but the case isn't necessairly the same with genetcially engineered crops. I'm not pointing any fingers on here, I'm just making a general comment.
Posted 8/21/2009 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, a quick google search revealed KGF-2 is a protein that stimulates mucosal healing...makes sense!
Posted 8/21/2009 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't really understand how this is supose to work. we are still adding bad bacteria into our bodies all the time. how can this be a permant thing. I think there will be a break through too. I am hopeful.
Posted 8/21/2009 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Kitty, this bacteria is NOT a harmful one. And remeber, we have a LOT of good bacteria in our bodies as well...we wouldn't be able to digest foods without them, and that's what probiotics are!

This bacteria has been genetically modified so that it produces a human protein called KGF-2. KGF-2 naturally occurs in our bodies and is involved in stimulating mucosal healing (and therefore the mucosal lining of our colons which is inflamed). This bacteria has also been designed to not produce the KGF-2 until the person also ingests xylan, I'm guessing so that there is a measure of control on where the KGF-2 is produced and released.
Posted 8/21/2009 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hey , what if you're on remicade,,,??? would you quit it to do this??? Still a lot of questions,
but if it works it would be great.
Posted 8/21/2009 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
I personally wouldn't if the remicade is working well, since this is still experimental and doesn't seem to have been trialed in humans yet.
Posted 8/21/2009 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
The idea of putting bacteria into our body is the same idea behind fecal transplantation. The high success rate of using fecal transplantation in treating C-diff is becoming well-known. I'm not surprised scientists are getting involved in creating something that will work in pill-form. There is great promise that a "drug" such as this will be able to help at least some people with Chron's and Colitis. I'm still glad I did fecal transplantation though. Not only does it put more strains of bacteria back into the colon, but I don't have to take medications while waiting for this new "drug" to be developed and tested.
Posted 8/21/2009 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
I just want to reiterate that the bacteria ITSELF isn't doing anything. This bacteria has been genetically engineered to produce a human protien that is involved in mucosal healing. So it's not anything like probiotics or fecal transplantation.
Posted 8/21/2009 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
Exactly right - the bacteria IS the pill in this case in a weird soft of way. Meaning it's what helps to deliver the KGF-2. The sugar is what helps trigger when the bacteria becomes 'active' and releases KGF-2.
Posted 8/21/2009 6:59 PM (GMT 0)

fruitgirl said...
I just want to reiterate that the bacteria ITSELF isn't doing anything. This bacteria has been genetically engineered to produce a human protien that is involved in mucosal healing. So it's not anything like probiotics or fecal transplantation.

Hmmm... Bacteria plays a role. It might be more specific in this case, that of producing a human protein that is involved in mucosal healing, but it is playing a role nevertheless.
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