This is a controlled, double-blind, randomised, singlecentre, placebo-controlled, phase IIa proof-of-concept study on effects of the drug on activation and efflux of gluten specific T cells using HLA-DQ:gluten tetramers. The study will be conducted with two treatment groups in the form of a 2:1 parallel group comparison and will serve to compare oral treatment with 14 mg/d teriflunomide vs. placebo in subjects with well-controlled coeliac disease undergoing gluten challenge. The screening period will be up to 8 weeks, followed by a 7-day run-in treatment period with a loading dose of teriflunomide followed by a 6 day therapeutic maintenance dose, an initial 4-week treatment-free follow-up period and a 6 month closing follow-up.
The investigators will see if the drug teriflunomide (which is in use in other immune disorder (multiple sclerosis)) can inhibit the immune activation in celiac disease patients during a 3 day gluten challenge. This will be measured in a blood sample.