P2Y 2 receptor agonists, denufosol (OLIYNYK et al., 2010), were promising for their ability to activate alternative chloride secretion pathways, but both of these agonists have not been pursued further due to not meeting primary study goals of improving FEV 1 (Ratjen et al., 2012) and having a narrow effective concentration range, respectively (OLIYNYK et al., 2010)
It may be possible to treat the underlying disease by surgical correction of anatomic lesions leading to small bowel bacterial overgrowth, expulsion of fish tapeworm, discontinuation of drugs leading to vitamin malabsorption (see Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions), use of a gluten free diet in nontropical sprue, or administration of antibiotics in tropical sprue
Currently, the preclinical development of these strategies appears more challenging to avoid strong side effects, but the expected results are commensurate with patients hopes for treatments
Fewer illnesses and infections