Scientists Discover Major Driver of Bowel Disease

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Facts

  • In a new study, researchers have discovered a major driver of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which encompasses conditions such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, by finding a basis for inflammation in immune cells.1
  • Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute in London found that a section of DNA found in immune cells, known as macrophages, boosted a gene known as ETS2, which is central to the inflammatory properties of macrophages.2
  • Presenting their findings in the journal Nature, the researchers found that some medications, such as those for cancer, were able to switch off much of the inflammatory effects of that DNA in biological samples from patients with IBD.3
  • Around 7M people worldwide suffer from IBD. Symptoms of IBD include diarrhea, weight loss, and blood in stools, and typically affect young adults. Current treatment options are limited due to a lack of understanding of its causes.2
  • A class of anticancer drugs, known as MEK inhibitors, were found to be effective in reducing gut inflammation. Scientists have adapted the drug to only target macrophages during their tests, but clinical trials are still needed.2
  • The same mechanism is now also believed to be behind rare autoimmune disorders, such as the spine and joint inflaming ankylosing spondylitis, with the new IBD treatment now showing promise.2

Sources: 1RTE.ie, 2Guardian and 3BBC News.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Nature. This discovery could change the lives of those living with IBD around the world, as we have finally found a potentially effective and non-invasive treatment. While clinical trials are needed to rigorously test the drugs used to quell inflammation, there is finally hope on the horizon for those who suffer from these common and chronic conditions.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Scientific American. Scientists have been perplexed by the explosion in autoimmune disorders such as IBD. Autoimmune disease has been described as a silent epidemic, and may be connected to our changing lifestyles and the chemicals we are exposed to in the modern age. Given that these diseases are so expensive to treat, let's focus on fixing our toxic environments before resorting to expensive treatments.