Coeliac Drug Larazotide May Help Kids Recover from Post-Covid Syndrome

New Delhi: A drug originally developed to treat coeliac disease has shown early potential in helping children recover more quickly from multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a serious complication of Covid-19. The findings come from a small clinical trial and were published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

MIS-C, though rare, is a severe condition that can develop in children after Covid-19 infection. It is marked by high fevers, gastrointestinal symptoms, and in some cases, life-threatening heart complications. Current treatment options are limited and often rely on broad anti-inflammatory medications. However, these treatments are not always effective in fully preventing symptoms from returning.

In a double-blind clinical trial, researchers studied the effects of larazotide, a drug designed for coeliac disease, on 12 children with early-stage MIS-C. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or larazotide, taken orally four times a day for 21 days. Their progress was monitored over a six-month recovery period.

According to the research team, children who received larazotide experienced quicker improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms, faster elimination of SARS-CoV-2 viral particles from their system, and a more rapid return to regular daily activities compared to those who received a placebo.

"While our study is small, its results are powerful and have implications not only for MIS-C, but potentially for long Covid," said lead author Lael Yonker, co-director of the Cystic Fibrosis Center at Mass General Brigham.

"Our findings suggest that larazotide is safe and quickly resolves symptoms in children with MIS-C. We are now running a clinical trial to test whether larazotide may also be a useful therapy to treat patients with long Covid," Yonker added.

The drug larazotide works by targeting the gut and reinforcing the intestinal barrier. This mechanism helps prevent harmful materials — including SARS-CoV-2 particles from leaking out of the gut and into the bloodstream, a process believed to contribute to ongoing inflammation.

Researchers noted that although the study involved a small number of participants, the outcomes suggest larazotide could be a valuable addition to current MIS-C treatment options. Further studies with larger patient groups are needed to confirm the findings and assess its potential use for long Covid.

(With inputs from IANS)