Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by zilian 1988 days ago
So excited by this ! Im 30 and finally, after reading tons of papers about AS and/or inflammatory pathways it is the first time I can imagine a cure for my anlylosing spondylitis. Too bad it will take years of approval once developed. I volunteer for trials and not in the placebo group please !
1 comments
mb7733 1988 days ago
I can't see the full text of the article and most of the abstract is over my head. Is AS mentioned in the paper or are you just hopeful that a similar thing could be developed for AS and other autoinflammitory diseases?
link
elcritch 1988 days ago
The same method very likely could work for most auto-immune conditions if they can repeat the basic method in humans. They’re essentially turning on and/or ramping up the existing self-regulation mechanism of the immune system. I’ve only read the abstract, but what I’m not sure about is their selective delivery/targeting method, as that seems the hardest part. The various regulatory pathways cells are fairly well studied for most AI conditions and the mRNA sequences for their associated receptors could be programmed readily as I understand the technology.

However, if it does work in humans it’ll be a huge leap forward for treatment of auto immune diseases. Perhaps long term, even inflammatory issues like arterial plaque, which we’re slowly realizing is formed by chronic inflammation as much as by high cholesterol. Alzheimer’s May also be largely driven by incorrect immune responses too.

I suspect the challenge will be long term mRNA suitability, e.g. if the mRNA delivery mechanisms will develop immune reactions of their own. The cost of delivering the mRNA treatments could be large too. Biologics for autoimmune conditions require self administered shots too, but don’t require deep freezer cold. Also it could increase long term cancer risks by over stimulating self-regulatory pathways.

Not sure if the full article mentions if it’s a one time shot or on going. I’m presuming ongoing dice mRNA will degrade.

link
elcritch 1988 days ago
Another complication with RA and AS will be the number of linked autoantigens involved. Both RA and AS likely will benefit from collagen II autoantigens but also appear to be triggered by a bunch of other autoantigens as well. Still mRNA should cope with that case better than current methods too! It’s easy to print lots of different antigens in one go.

See https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12678429/

link