A groundbreaking study led by researchers at UBC has introduced a new drug delivery method that could revolutionize treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Published in Science, the study presents a technique called 'GlycoCaging', which allows medicine to be delivered directly to the lower gut—at doses up to 10 times lower than current treatments.
“With this technique, we have the ability to deliver not just steroids, but a range of drugs including anti-microbial compounds directly to the gut, potentially helping people with inflammatory bowel disease, gut infections and more," said Dr. Harry Brumer, co-senior author and professor in the UBC Department of Chemistry and Michael Smith Laboratories.
GlycoCaging is a chemical process inspired by the UBC researchers’ realization that certain molecules found in fruit and vegetable fiber can only be digested by bacteria that resides in our gut. The team bonded the molecule to a steroid, creating a ‘treasure chest’ for which the ‘key’ is a specific gut bacteria. They used a steroid not usual for IBD treatment to demonstrate GlycoCaging’s potential to repurpose potent drugs.
The research team has patented the technology and will now source funding for more advanced animal trials and human clinical trials. Read the full story here.
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