Using a specially designed molecule (HBL), researchers at Notre Dame believe they have found a way to block allergic reactions. The molecule can be introduced into the blood stream at which point it attaches to mast cells, so the offender (food protein, medication, insect venom) is unable to attach and set off the chain reaction that can lead to an allergic reaction.
"We believe HBL has a very high potential to be developed as a preventative medication," said Tanyel Kiziltepe, a research professor at Notre Dame.
At the present time, researchers believe the molecule will be most helpful in emergency situations such as when emergency room doctors don't know if a person is allergic to a medication. They could administer the medication and the molecule at the same time to perhaps prevent a reaction.
The full article is in the September issue of Chemistry and Biology and is available for purchase.
Showing posts with label food allergy treatments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food allergy treatments. Show all posts
Food Allergy Desensitization Programs
Okay, its controversial, but I'm keeping a close eye on this. Dr. Richard Wasserman, a pediatric allergist in Dallas TX, has been using desensitization to treat food allergy in his private practice. Some patients have had great success, others, not so much. Food desensitization is handled in much the same way as traditional allergy therapy. Someone allergic to cat, dust, mold or oak trees is given increasing amounts of their allergen in the form of an allergy shot. Over time, most people can better tolerate the allergen. In Wasserman's practice, someone allergic to milk or eggs can be given tiny doses of the offending food in increasing amounts.
Dr. Wasserman admits that many allergists find his food allergy treatment too risky. There are a few other practices throughout the U.S. who perform oral desensitization for food allergy. However, most desensitization studies are currently in clinical trials.
Wasserman reports that the program takes place over many months and costs about $5000. A few insurance companies cover the cost.
Does anyone have direct experience with this treatment for food allergy? I'd love to talk to some food allergy families who've contemplated, or gone through, a program like this.
Dr. Wasserman admits that many allergists find his food allergy treatment too risky. There are a few other practices throughout the U.S. who perform oral desensitization for food allergy. However, most desensitization studies are currently in clinical trials.
Wasserman reports that the program takes place over many months and costs about $5000. A few insurance companies cover the cost.
Does anyone have direct experience with this treatment for food allergy? I'd love to talk to some food allergy families who've contemplated, or gone through, a program like this.
Egg Allergy Study Shows Postitive Results
This is big news!
We really are getting closer to a food allergy cure. AAAAI (American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology) made an exciting announcement at their annual conference which began in New Orleans Feb. 26 and continues through March 2.
The announcement involved a multi-center trial including Duke, Johns Hopkins, Mount Sinai, National Jewish and the University of Arkansas. The trial involved 55 children between the ages of 5-18.
All had egg allergy- notice the word "had".
Some of the participants received a placebo. The other group received egg white solid oral immunotherapy. That means this group was given increasing amounts of egg protein in a controlled setting.
The results? After 44 weeks, both groups were tested and 21 of the 40 receiving the egg protein, are no longer egg allergic. The 15 who were in the placebo group continue to have egg allergy.
Here's the full press release from the conference.
We're making forward movement on this!!!
We really are getting closer to a food allergy cure. AAAAI (American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology) made an exciting announcement at their annual conference which began in New Orleans Feb. 26 and continues through March 2.
The announcement involved a multi-center trial including Duke, Johns Hopkins, Mount Sinai, National Jewish and the University of Arkansas. The trial involved 55 children between the ages of 5-18.
All had egg allergy- notice the word "had".
Some of the participants received a placebo. The other group received egg white solid oral immunotherapy. That means this group was given increasing amounts of egg protein in a controlled setting.
The results? After 44 weeks, both groups were tested and 21 of the 40 receiving the egg protein, are no longer egg allergic. The 15 who were in the placebo group continue to have egg allergy.
Here's the full press release from the conference.
We're making forward movement on this!!!
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