When the number of pollen in the air jumps and the duration of seasonal allergy periods only increases, existing solutions for allergies do not provide sufficient response.
What have we learned about allergy treatment and where are we heading?
From non drowsy antihistamines, through sublingual tablet immunotherapy, to mRNA technology for developing peanut resistance.
Seven innovative solutions try to fight the allergic reality created by global warming and the current lifestyle.
“Allergy is an abnormal response of the immune system to substances in our environment called allergens,” explains Prof. A.
“The main allergens we are exposed to daily are inhaled and respiratory allergens that may mainly involve the upper or lower airways.
Another type of allergen can be various foods, insect toxins and even medications.
Any of these can cause an allergic reaction.”
The general name for the response is “allergy,” but it has several expressions.
“Some allergens cause rash and allergic reaction on the skin, some cause reaction in the upper airways (mainly runny nose), some in the lower airways (asthma) and some even involve the digestive system”.
About 31% of the general population have some allergy, 25.7% will experience seasonal allergy and among them, 7% will experience skin manifestation of allergy.
Evidence of allergic reactions exists since the time of the Pharaohs, but the first link of allergens to allergy was shown by Dr. B in 1859.
At that time, allergy was called “summer cold” and its cause was unknown.
B was the first to identify the connection between plants and allergy, laying the scientific foundation for understanding the allergy mechanism and developing medicines for it.
The most innovative solutions for allergies
- The new generation of antihistamines
The new generation attacks two mechanisms of allergy, leading to a more effective response and against a wider range of allergens.
In addition, new generation drugs act faster and are much less sedating. - Sublingual tablet immunotherapy
Immunotherapy allows the immune system to “get used” to the presence of the allergen and lead to a balanced response.
There is also a home version with SCIT tablets. - Inhaler reaching small airways
A new inhaler called Trimbow focuses on small airways and provides more effective treatment for asthma patients who developed resistance to other inhalers. - Treatment with molecule 729-LIT
Innovative treatment based on stem cells and LIT-927 molecule prevents airway narrowing in asthma by blocking the driving factor of these cells. - Gene editing to stop allergic reaction
Treatment using iRNA technology to reduce expression of RAGE receptor in lung cells, decreasing the severity of asthmatic reaction. - mRNA technology for retraining the immune system
Solution to prevent food allergy, especially peanuts, by retraining the immune system inspired by mRNA vaccines. - Patch for peanut tolerance development
Skin patch releasing a low amount of peanut protein helps children develop peanut tolerance without immediate risk.
What can be done to ease allergies?
- Consult an allergist.
- Identify the source of the allergy.
- Keep the house clean to reduce dust.
- Use air conditioning and purifiers on dusty or high pollen days.
- Keep antihistamines at home.
- Avoid food that caused allergic reaction.
- Adopt as green a lifestyle as possible.