Novel immunotherapy approaches to food allergy

Simone M Hayen, Atanaska I Kostadinova, Johan Garssen, Henny G Otten, Linette E M Willemsen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite reaching high percentages of desensitization using allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) in patients with food allergy, recent studies suggest only a low number of patients to reach persistent clinical tolerance. This review describes current developments in strategies to improve safety and long-term efficacy of SIT.

RECENT FINDINGS: Modified allergens or tolerogenic peptides, ultimately optimized for human leukocyte antigen background of the patient, are explored for tolerance induction, whereas anti-IgE antibody (Omalizumab) may be used to facilitate SIT safety. Adjunct therapies to enhance efficacy may make use of TH1 polarizing agents, for example, CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides combined with modified allergen packaged in nanoparticles. Preclinical studies showed insulin-like growth factor-2, intravenous immunoglobulin, Tregitopes or allergen encased oligomannose-coated liposomes capable of inducing regulatory T-cells, recognized for their importance in clinical tolerance induction. Dietary intervention strategies utilizing herbal formula 2, VSL#3, nondigestible short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS) plus Bifidobacterium breve M-16V or n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids may facilitate safety and/or a favourable milieu for tolerance induction.

SUMMARY: Combining SIT using (adapted) allergens or tolerogenic peptides with adjunct therapy may be essential to improve safety and/or efficacy. Beyond using targeted approaches, specific dietary components may be explored to reduce side-effects and support clinical tolerance induction by SIT.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)549-56
Number of pages8
JournalCurrent Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume14
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2014

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