Andrew MacGinnite1,2. 1. Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave/Fegan 6, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. Andrew.macginnitie@childrens.harvard.edu. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Andrew.macginnitie@childrens.harvard.edu.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Food allergy is common, affecting up to 8% of children in the USA. Currently, therapy is limited to avoidance of the implicated allergen and availability of self-injectable epinephrine. However, several new approaches to food allergy are under investigation. This article reviews the published data on these new approaches. RECENT FINDINGS: Oral immunotherapy, in which allergic subjects are exposed to increasing amounts of antigen, can be accomplished in the majority of allergic individuals. However, this approach is not a cure as most patients will react after cessation of regular intake. In addition, there is a high rate of side effects. Other approaches include epicutaneous immunotherapy, therapy with anti-IgE medications, and use of Chinese herbs. Several novel approaches on food allergy are under study. At the current time, these approaches show promise for preventing severe reactions to accidental exposures. However, there is little evidence that current approaches will represent a true cure for food allergy.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Food allergy is common, affecting up to 8% of children in the USA. Currently, therapy is limited to avoidance of the implicated allergen and availability of self-injectable epinephrine. However, several new approaches to food allergy are under investigation. This article reviews the published data on these new approaches. RECENT FINDINGS: Oral immunotherapy, in which allergic subjects are exposed to increasing amounts of antigen, can be accomplished in the majority of allergic individuals. However, this approach is not a cure as most patients will react after cessation of regular intake. In addition, there is a high rate of side effects. Other approaches include epicutaneous immunotherapy, therapy with anti-IgE medications, and use of Chinese herbs. Several novel approaches on food allergy are under study. At the current time, these approaches show promise for preventing severe reactions to accidental exposures. However, there is little evidence that current approaches will represent a true cure for food allergy.
Authors: Julie Wang; Stacie M Jones; Jacqueline A Pongracic; Ying Song; Nan Yang; Scott H Sicherer; Melanie M Makhija; Rachel G Robison; Erin Moshier; James Godbold; Hugh A Sampson; Xiu-Min Li Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2015-06-01 Impact factor: 10.793
Authors: Hugh A Sampson; Donald Y M Leung; A Wesley Burks; Gideon Lack; Sami L Bahna; Stacie M Jones; Dennis A Wong Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2011-03-11 Impact factor: 10.793
Authors: Jennifer S Kim; Anna Nowak-Węgrzyn; Scott H Sicherer; Sally Noone; Erin L Moshier; Hugh A Sampson Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2011-05-23 Impact factor: 10.793
Authors: Satya D Narisety; Pamela A Frischmeyer-Guerrerio; Corinne A Keet; Mark Gorelik; John Schroeder; Robert G Hamilton; Robert A Wood Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2014-12-18 Impact factor: 10.793
Authors: Philippe Bégin; Lisa C Winterroth; Tina Dominguez; Shruti P Wilson; Liane Bacal; Anjuli Mehrotra; Bethany Kausch; Anthony Trela; Elisabeth Hoyte; Gerri O'Riordan; Scott Seki; Alanna Blakemore; Margie Woch; Robert G Hamilton; Kari C Nadeau Journal: Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol Date: 2014-01-15 Impact factor: 3.406