4 Eclectic Science and Regulatory Compliance: Stories for the Curious
A Few Surprises
In modern times, it would appear unlikely to find other instances where pathogenic
organisms currently are used to treat a disease. Surprisingly, however, parasitic worms are
being studied as Investigational New Drugs to ameliorate autoimmune diseases.
Eight studies now are listed on the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) website.
Seven employ Trichuris Suis ova (pig whipworm) as treatment for multiple sclerosis,
ulcerative colitis, autism, food allergy or Crohn’s disease.22 Fortunately, the porcine vari-
ety cannot survive inside the human body for very long.
Studies suggest helminths (parasitic worms) may ease the symptoms of autoim-
mune diseases by increasing mucus production.23,24 The mucus production boost may
help calm an excessively aggressive immune system. Production seems to correlate to a
carbohydrate metabolism increase in the tissues where the helminths reside.
The other study on the NIH website, and even more strange, is one designed to
inoculate celiac disease patients with human hookworm Nector Americanus to evaluate
immunity and gluten sensitivity.
The second surprise relates to bloodletting. The procedure still is used to treat
hemochromatosis and is the best method for removing excess iron from the body. One
half-liter of blood is removed each week until the body’s iron level is normal.25 This may
require many months or even years to accomplish.
References
1. Morens DM. “Death of a president.” New England Journal of Medicine. 1999 341:1845-9.
2. Fauci AS, Morens DM. “The perpetual challenge of infectious diseases.” New England Journal of
Medicine. 2012 366:454-61.
3. Op cit 1.
4. Jackson J. Memoir on the last sickness of General Washington and its treatment by the attendant physi-
cians. Privately printed. 1860.
5. Solis-Cohen S. “Washington’s death and the doctors.” Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine. 1899 64:945-52.
6. Schneeberg NG. Letters to the Editor. New England Journal of Medicine. 2000 342:1222.
7. Bloodletting, blisters and the mystery of Washington’s death. Public Broadcasting System. http://www.
pbs.org/video/2365387442/. Accessed 7 June 2016.
8. Estes JW. “George Washington and the Doctors.” Medical Heritage. 1985.
9. Op cit 1.
10. Op cit 7.
11. Chernin E. “The malariatherapy of neurosyphilis.” J Parasit Dis. 1984 70(5):611-17.
12. Bond H. “General paralysis and its treatment by induced malaria.” Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.
London.
13. Op cit 11.
14. Ibid.
15. “A final curtain.” BMJ. 14 June 1975.
16. Op cit 11.
17. Ibid.
18. Ibid.
19. Crawford GM. “Syphilis.” New England Journal of Medicine. 1948 238:152-9.
20. Becker FT. “Induced malaria as a therapeutic agent.” In Malariology. 84.
21. Ibid.
22. US National Institutes of Health. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=Trichuris+suis. Accessed 7 June
2016.
23. Jabr F. “For the good of the gut: Can parasitic worms treat autoimmune diseases.” Scientific American. 1
December 2010.
24, Wickelgren I. “Can worms tame the immune system?” Science. 2004 305:170-1.
25. PubMed Health. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001368/. Accessed 7 June 2016.
Published on regulatoryfocus.com, April 2012. Copyright © 2012 Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society.
A Few Surprises
In modern times, it would appear unlikely to find other instances where pathogenic
organisms currently are used to treat a disease. Surprisingly, however, parasitic worms are
being studied as Investigational New Drugs to ameliorate autoimmune diseases.
Eight studies now are listed on the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) website.
Seven employ Trichuris Suis ova (pig whipworm) as treatment for multiple sclerosis,
ulcerative colitis, autism, food allergy or Crohn’s disease.22 Fortunately, the porcine vari-
ety cannot survive inside the human body for very long.
Studies suggest helminths (parasitic worms) may ease the symptoms of autoim-
mune diseases by increasing mucus production.23,24 The mucus production boost may
help calm an excessively aggressive immune system. Production seems to correlate to a
carbohydrate metabolism increase in the tissues where the helminths reside.
The other study on the NIH website, and even more strange, is one designed to
inoculate celiac disease patients with human hookworm Nector Americanus to evaluate
immunity and gluten sensitivity.
The second surprise relates to bloodletting. The procedure still is used to treat
hemochromatosis and is the best method for removing excess iron from the body. One
half-liter of blood is removed each week until the body’s iron level is normal.25 This may
require many months or even years to accomplish.
References
1. Morens DM. “Death of a president.” New England Journal of Medicine. 1999 341:1845-9.
2. Fauci AS, Morens DM. “The perpetual challenge of infectious diseases.” New England Journal of
Medicine. 2012 366:454-61.
3. Op cit 1.
4. Jackson J. Memoir on the last sickness of General Washington and its treatment by the attendant physi-
cians. Privately printed. 1860.
5. Solis-Cohen S. “Washington’s death and the doctors.” Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine. 1899 64:945-52.
6. Schneeberg NG. Letters to the Editor. New England Journal of Medicine. 2000 342:1222.
7. Bloodletting, blisters and the mystery of Washington’s death. Public Broadcasting System. http://www.
pbs.org/video/2365387442/. Accessed 7 June 2016.
8. Estes JW. “George Washington and the Doctors.” Medical Heritage. 1985.
9. Op cit 1.
10. Op cit 7.
11. Chernin E. “The malariatherapy of neurosyphilis.” J Parasit Dis. 1984 70(5):611-17.
12. Bond H. “General paralysis and its treatment by induced malaria.” Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.
London.
13. Op cit 11.
14. Ibid.
15. “A final curtain.” BMJ. 14 June 1975.
16. Op cit 11.
17. Ibid.
18. Ibid.
19. Crawford GM. “Syphilis.” New England Journal of Medicine. 1948 238:152-9.
20. Becker FT. “Induced malaria as a therapeutic agent.” In Malariology. 84.
21. Ibid.
22. US National Institutes of Health. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=Trichuris+suis. Accessed 7 June
2016.
23. Jabr F. “For the good of the gut: Can parasitic worms treat autoimmune diseases.” Scientific American. 1
December 2010.
24, Wickelgren I. “Can worms tame the immune system?” Science. 2004 305:170-1.
25. PubMed Health. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001368/. Accessed 7 June 2016.
Published on regulatoryfocus.com, April 2012. Copyright © 2012 Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society.