Immunotherapy approach to allergic disease

The causal role of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in triggering the cascade of bioc hemical events leading to allergic disease is well established. Treatments that selectively inhibit IgE activity are a logical approach in managing th e allergic response. One such strategy utilizes rhuMAb-E25, a recombinant h umanized IgG, monoclonal anti-IgE antibody, which binds to IgE. This anti-I gE antibody binds at the same epitope site of IgE that binds to Fc epsilon RI and is thus non-anaphylactogenic. By binding to IgE and removing it via immune complex formation, the pool of IgE available to interact with mast c ells and basophils is thereby reduced and the allergic response is attenuat ed. The clinical safety and efficacy of rhuMAb-E25 demonstrated in phase II studies of allergic asthma will be outlined. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V . All rights reserved.