Individuals suffering from severe allergies have reason to celebrate, as doctors have uncovered a particular gene that could be causing the reactions 香蕉视频直播� as well as a drug that can help treat it.

In a new study released this month, more than 90 researchers 香蕉视频直播� including Dr. Stuart Turvey and Dr. Mehul Sharma at BC Children香蕉视频直播檚 Hospital Research Institute 香蕉视频直播� have uncovered variants in the STAT6 gene 香蕉视频直播� a part of the immune system that helps with balance and regulation.

Put simply, the STAT6 gene is a 香蕉视频直播済ain-of-function variant,香蕉视频直播� meaning that its biological function is enhanced, or turned on all the time, telling the immune system it香蕉视频直播檚 香蕉视频直播済o time香蕉视频直播� constantly, according to the research.

Sharma likened the gene variant to a runaway train or a musician who won香蕉视频直播檛 stop playing: it won香蕉视频直播檛 stop going and attacks everything in the body as if it香蕉视频直播檚 an allergy.

The study included 16 patients from 10 families who had debilitating, life-long medical complications from severe allergies.

This included Patient 10, who had suffered from debilitating food and drug allergies, as well as asthma and eczema, since birth. Through Sharma and Turvey香蕉视频直播檚 research and testing, they found a small change in the STAT6 gene with large implications.

The doctors then turned to help from researchers across the world, and found 16 patients within six weeks, all with similar severe complications.

As it turned out, they also had the same variant.

Jessie Liu, known as Patient 6, suffered from thick, dry and painful skin, as well as complete hair loss and infections in his bone marrow requiring multiple surgeries.

At 18 years old, the Hong Kong resident stood just over four feet tall. His body was unable to absorb nutrients due to organ damage.

When asked about the 香蕉视频直播渁ha moment,香蕉视频直播� Sharma said it came slowly over the years.

香蕉视频直播淎nytime something does work, you香蕉视频直播檙e always a little cautious at first. You want to make sure that what you香蕉视频直播檙e seeing is actually real. So you repeat the experiments again.香蕉视频直播�

Once enough biological samples were received confirming the STAT6 variant in each of the patients, doctors began testing different drugs. They discovered Dupilumab 香蕉视频直播� used to treat asthma and eczema 香蕉视频直播� effectively treated the patients in the study. Dupilumab helps act in one of the gene pathways and shuts down the 香蕉视频直播渞unaway train香蕉视频直播� behaviour.

Liu said that not only has it improved his life but the lives of everyone around him.

香蕉视频直播淲hen I had all my medical issues, I couldn香蕉视频直播檛 control my emotions. The vibe at home was so negative. It really impacted my family. But after, everything is so positive. I am always happy and laughing, I香蕉视频直播檓 not crying anymore.香蕉视频直播�

Liu香蕉视频直播檚 thick and dry skin is gone. He doesn香蕉视频直播檛 cough from constant inflammation and isn香蕉视频直播檛 sick all the time. On top of that, in the more than two years since he started taking Dupilumab, he has grown almost eight inches taller.

香蕉视频直播淚t feels great for us, but it香蕉视频直播檚 even better for the patients,香蕉视频直播� said Sharma, commenting on how it feels to have uncovered this medical mystery.

香蕉视频直播淪ome of [these patients] have gone from clinic to clinic and hospital to hospital not knowing [what香蕉视频直播檚 causing their disease] 香蕉视频直播� Giving them a diagnosis of what disease they have, now they have ended their diagnostic odyssey and have an answer.香蕉视频直播�

The journey to this discovery didn香蕉视频直播檛 come without tragedy, with the original patient and first confirmed case of the disease dying.

They were the 香蕉视频直播渃atalyst for a global collaboration that has finally provided hope to others like them,香蕉视频直播� researchers said in a news release.

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