Novel approaches to food allergy
Journal
Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology
Journal Volume
46
Journal Issue
3
Pages
250-257
Date Issued
2014
Author(s)
Abstract
Food allergies have increased in recent decades. However, they cannot be effectively treated by the current management, which is limited to the identification and avoidance of foods that induce allergies and to the use of medicines for symptoms relief. To meet the medical need of prevention and cure of food allergies, several therapeutic strategies are under investigation. Some newly developed biologics such as anti-IgE antibody and anti-interleukin (IL)-5 antibody directed against significant molecules in the allergic process have shown their potential for the treatment of food allergies. Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the therapy that induces immune tolerance and may reduce the need for conventional medication, severity of allergic symptoms and eliminate hypersensitivity. In this article, clinical studies of immunotherapy via subcutaneous, oral, sublingual, and epicutaneous routes are extensively reviewed for their safety and effectiveness on various food allergies. In addition, to reduce the risk of anaphylaxis and increase toleragenic immunity, many studies are focusing on the modification of traditional allergens used for immunotherapy. Moreover, a Chinese herbal formulation with potential anti-allergic effects is being evaluated for its efficacy in patients with peanut allergy. Although more studies are needed, accumulated data of current studies represent compelling evidence of curative effects of some strategies and give a hope that food allergies are likely to be successfully treated in the future. ? 2013 Springer Science+Business Media.
SDGs
Other Subjects
allergen; Chinese drug; immunoglobulin E antibody; mepolizumab; anti-IgE antibodies; antiidiotypic antibody; herbaceous agent; IL5 protein, human; immunoglobulin E; interleukin 5; mepolizumab; monoclonal antibody; allergic disease; anaphylaxis; article; Chinese medicine; clinical study; drug efficacy; drug safety; epicutaneous immunotherapy; food allergy; herbal medicine; human; immunological tolerance; immunotherapy; oral immunotherapy; peanut allergy; phase 1 clinical trial (topic); phase 2 clinical trial (topic); phase 3 clinical trial (topic); randomized controlled trial (topic); subcutaneous immunotherapy; sublingual immunotherapy; blood; chemistry; desensitization; drug administration route; Food Hypersensitivity; fruit; immunology; pathology; procedures; vegetable; Allergens; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Desensitization, Immunologic; Drug Administration Routes; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Food Hypersensitivity; Fruit; Humans; Immunoglobulin E; Immunotherapy; Interleukin-5; Vegetables
Publisher
Humana Press Inc.
Type
journal article