Highlights from GA²LEN ANACARE Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Forum: Role of biologics in anaphylaxis management: Balancing risk & effectiveness
The Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA²LEN ) is a consortium of European allergy centers. Dr. Chinthrajah was recently invited to talk at the GA²LEN ANACARE Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Forum which brought together international experts on managing anaphylaxis in food allergy, where she discussed the use of biological therapeutics for managing allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. Early studies on the use of the anti-IgE antibody omalizumab in allergic asthma demonstrated that omalizumab reduced the risk of food allergic reactions in asthmatics, which prompted the study of omalizumab in food allergy.
Several clinical trials at the Sean N. Parker Center including the MAP-X and M-TAX trials demonstrated that omalizumab could be used to facilitate multi-allergen oral immunotherapy and that this combination approach led to reaction severity decreasing over time. Dr. Chinthrajah also discussed the use of other upcoming biologics such as the anti- IL-4 receptor α antibody dupilumab which has shown promise in other allergic conditions and is currently under investigation in several food allergy clinical trials. The Sean N. Parker Center’s ATLAS phase 2a clinical trial in a related allergic disease, atopic dermatitis (eczema), demonstrated that the anti-IL-33 antibody etokimab could decrease the frequency and severity of allergic reactions suggesting a potential benefit for application in food allergy. Lastly IgE disruptors are a new type of biologic which have shown potential for reducing reaction severity if given shortly after allergen exposure.
By Andrew Chin
Andrew Chin is a scientific grant writer at the Sean N. Parker Center who works closely with Drs. Chinthrajah and Sindher to assist with the Center's manuscripts, grants presentations, and other aspects of scientific writing. His background in basic research allows him to bring complementary insights to the clinical research in the Center.