New Research Trial Underway for Crohn's Disease

Do you know of someone with Crohn’s disease? This devastating disease has no known cure—yet. One innovative company called Qu Biologics has set out to change that.

What is Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease is a lifelong disease categorized by inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to symptoms such as cramping, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss. Typically, people who suffer from Crohn’s go through flare-ups, followed by periods of remission. Understandably, this can be an extremely difficult disease to live with.

A new clinical trial

Thankfully, there is much research underway to help cure Crohn’s. Qu Biologic’s novel research trial involves Site Specific Immunomodulators (SSIs), which is a new type of treatment that targets the immune system. A deficiency of the immune system is believed to be at the heart of Crohn’s disease.

Specifically, a new hypothesis is that macrophages (a type of white blood cell) aren’t able to properly get rid of damaged cells. The damaged cells then wreak havoc on the surrounding area, and the body tries to fix the situation, leading to an autoimmune response (when the body attacks its own cells).

Here’s where SSIs come in: made from a deactivated bacteria, SSIs are thought to initiate an immune response to eventually lead to new, healthy macrophages and the removal of damaged ones. Hopefully, with the underlying inflammation gone, Crohn’s disease can be cured.

Compassionate use

This is the first time SSIs have been used in a clinical trial, although Qu has used them before in a Compassionate Use Program. This means that in some case-by-case scenarios, health care practitioners let certain very sick individuals try an experimental product, if no other options have worked for them. The Compassionate Use Program of SSIs for Crohn’s involved 10 people and was an astonishing success—for example, seven reported that their symptoms disappeared within three or more months.

Get involved

Are you interested in being part of the research trial? Qu Biologics is looking for willing participants to be involved in this clinical trial. For more information, check out the section “Who Can Participate” on Qu Biologics' clinical trial website. You can also check out the Qu Biologics homepage to learn more about the company.