Update on Potential Therapies for IgE-Mediated Food Allergy.
OBJECTIVE
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.


RESULTS
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.
Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave/Fegan 6, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. Andrew.macginnitie@childrens.harvard.edu.|Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Andrew.macginnitie@childrens.harvard.edu.
Andrew
A
MacGinnite
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D004837:Epinephrine
Desensitization; Food allergy; Immunotherapy