Allergen‐specific immunotherapy: from therapeutic vaccines to prophylactic approaches

Abstract

Immunoglobulin E-mediated allergies affect more than 25% of the population. Allergen exposure induces a variety of symptoms in allergic patients, which include rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma, dermatitis, food allergy and life-threatening systemic anaphylaxis. At present, allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT), which is based on the administration of the disease-causing allergens, is the only diseasemodifying treatment for allergy. Current therapeutic allergy vaccines are still prepared from relatively poorly defined allergen extracts. However, with the availability of the structures of the most common allergen molecules, it has become possible to produce well-defined recombinant and synthetic allergy vaccines that allow specific targeting of the mechanisms of allergic disease. Here we provide a summary of the development and mechanisms of SIT, and then review new forms of therapeutic vaccines that are based on recombinant and synthetic molecules. Finally, we discuss possible allergen-specific strategies for prevention of allergic disease.

Development of a Mouse Model for Chronic Cat Allergen-Induced Asthma

“…However, the treatment is both time consuming and resource demanding, and is linked to the risk of adverse side effects [3]. In order to make the treatment attractive for more patients that would benefit from ASIT, new treatment strategies are currently being investigated [4,5]. An important step in the development of novel allergy therapies is to show preclinical proof-of-concept in relevant allergy and asthma models.…”

Current Issues on Immunotherapy in Children

“…Both recombinant allergen-diagnostic tests and immunotherapy lead to more personalized and stratified treatment of different allergic entities. Recombinant allergen-based vaccines have been developed and successfully evaluated for several respiratory allergen sources including food allergies [117][118][119][120]. The second approach for minimizing side effects and improves compliance is the usage of peptide immunotherapy that has been proven in many studies as effective in treating patients with different respiratory allergies [121].…”

Molecular chimerism in IgE-mediated allergy

“…This knowledge allowed the development of allergen-specific immunotherapy using recombinant allergens or hypoallergenic derivatives which reduce the side effects of crude extracts. 6 Nevertheless for severe cases development of preventive protocols is an urgent unmet need.…”