Immunotherapy for Food Allergies: A Myth or a Reality?

Abstract

Food allergy is a worldwide issue, with an estimated prevalence of 2-10%. An effective treatment is not available for people affected and the only management is the avoidance of the allergen. Oral immunotherapy and sublingual immunotherapy have been tested by several authors, in particular for milk, egg and peanuts allergy, with significant results in term of desensitization induction. The achievement of tolerance is by the contrary doubtful, with different results obtained. In this review, we reviewed protocols of oral and sublingual immunotherapy for food allergy published in literature, mainly against milk, egg and peanut. At present, immunotherapy does not represent the gold standard in the treatment of food allergy, even if it can desensitize patients.

Effect of Varying Doses of Epicutaneous Immunotherapy vs Placebo on Reaction to Peanut Protein Exposure Among Patients With Peanut Sensitivity

“…Numerous single-center studies have been published; although they have demonstrated induction of varying degrees of desensitization, there is concern about significant risk of severe treatment-associated adverse reactions . Moreover, only a minority of treated patients achieve any measure of longer-term tolerance …”

“…7 Moreover, only a minority of treated patients achieve any measure of longerterm tolerance. 8,9 Epicutaneous immunotherapy uses an allergenadsorbed patch (peanut patch), which in murine models has been shown to deliver allergen to the epidermal layer of normal intact skin, where it is taken up by Langerhans cells and transported to regional lymph nodes. 10 After a recent phase 1 trial in peanut-allergic individuals demonstrated safety and tolerability, 11 a 1-year phase 2b trial of the peanut patch was conducted in peanut-allergic patients to identify the most effective dose and to establish its adverse event (AE) profile, efficacy, and acceptability.…”

Congenital/Primitive Hydrocephalus: Classification, Clinical Aspects, and Rehabilitation Approach

“…In addition to this theory of hydrocephalus formation, defined as "classical," Greitz has proposed a new theory on the dynamics of CSF and on the development of hydrocephalus as a disorder of intracranial pulsations, [19][20][21] according to which the reabsorption of CSF occurs through the vessels capillaries (hemodynamic theory): in this sense, communicating hydrocephalus would be linked to any cause that narrows the intracranial arteries while obstructive hydrocephalus from a compression of the cortical veins. The onset of symptoms, in both cases, would be determined by the reduction of oxygenated blood directed to the brain parenchyma.…”

Microcephaly and Its Related Syndromes: Classification, Genetic, Clinical, and Rehabilitative Considerations

“…1). [22][23][24] In cases of secondary microcephaly, the OFC is normal at birth but decreases postnatally, becoming apparent within the first year of life. Unlike the primary type, this form of microcephaly is frequently associated with common progressive motor and cognitive impairments.…”