Therapeutics in Food Allergy The Current State of the Art英文电子书.pdf

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep (2012) 12:48–54 DOI 10.1007/s11882-011-0235-2 ANAPHYLAXIS AND DRUG ALLERGY (P LIEBERMAN AND S SPECTOR, SECTION EDITORS) Therapeutics in Food Allergy: The Current State of the Art Kanao Otsu David M. Fleischer Published online: 19 November 2011 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011 Abstract Food allergy is an increasing public health and basophils, and when exposed to the sensitizing dilemma in Westernized countries, yet no viable treatments proteins, activate these cells to release potent mediators are currently available for those who are afflicted. The only that cause symptoms such as hives, swelling, wheezing, and options available for patients with food allergies are vomiting, which are features of allergic reactions [ 1••]. prevention of reactions by strict avoidance of the offending However, the underlying mechanism leading to initial food(s) and symptomatic treatment of any adverse effects sensitization has yet to be fully elucidated. Multiple factors, from accidental exposures. Approaches are being pursued including the dose and route of first exposure to food to develop treatments, and allergen-specific therapies such allergens, are particularly important in the development of as oral immunotherapy, sublingual immunotherapy, and tolerance versus sensitization. epicutaneous immunotherapy with different foods have In recent years, the prevalence of food allergy in shown promise. Other modalities are also being investigated, Westernized countries has increased [ 1••]. Gupta and potentially leading to the discovery of novel therapeutic colleagues [2] report that adverse immune reactions to options.