FEATURED SEARCH: asthma SIT
Specific immunotherapy (SIT) has the potential to cure severe asthmatic responses to cat-induced allergy, but existing vaccines also tend to induce adverse reactions that have been traced to the IgE epitope that binds T cells. Researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden have found a novel way to reduce the density of these epitopes on the vaccine surface, limiting cross-linking that can trigger late-stage reactions. The novel vaccines are still capable of inducing formation of the blocking antibodies required for vaccine efficacy, they find, but in vitro studies suggest a greatly reduced capacity to trigger anaphylactic reactions.
RESULT: In Vitro Evolution of Allergy Vaccine Candidates, with Maintained Structure, but Reduced B Cell and T Cell Activation Capacity
PLoS One | Sep 13, 2011 (FREE FULL TEXT)
No longer hampered by the crude immunogenicity of natural allergen extracts, we now have details about the genomes of all important allergy triggers. Combining this knowledge with biotechnology, we are about to witness a blossoming of safe and effective SIT that can eliminate allergies, say the authors of this review (available in full text for free.) "There is no doubt that recombinant allergen-based vaccination strategies will be generally applicable to most allergen sources" they write, allowing "safe allergy vaccines for the treatment of the most common forms of IgE-mediated allergies."
RESULT: Recombinant allergens for allergen-specific immunotherapy: 10 years anniversary of immunotherapy with recombinant allergens
Allergy (PubMed) | Jun 1, 2011 (FREE FULL TEXT)
