There has been an exciting new discovery in the world of allergies made by researchers at Aarhus University along with German researchers from Marburg/Giessen. This team uncovered an antibody that is able to completely inactivate allergic processes by preventing the human allergy antibody (IgE) from attaching to cells. When an allergic person is exposed to an allergen, IgE antibodies are produced and circulated into the blood to be loaded onto mast cells. This then triggers the degradation of mast cells leading to the release of histamine and therefore causing an allergic reaction.  This new antibody works to disrupt this process by interfering with the binding of IgE to the two specific effectors (CD23 and FceRI) on the immune cells, therefore stopping the cascade which leads to an allergic reaction before it even begins. This antibody also functions by removing circulating IgE antibodies after binding to its receptors.

          Due to the chemical structure of this antibody, it may be inhaled or swallowed unlike the current treatment for allergic rhinitis which involves immunotherapy.  This holds promise for a less costly medication and more comfort among those who loathe the thought of needles. This new discovery still needs to undergo further evaluation and clinical trials, however it holds much promise for the future direction of allergy medication.  For more information please see the links below: