Food allergy is potentially life-threatning immune reaction, triggered by normally innocous food protein antigens. The prevalence of food allergy is rising, but there is no approved therapy apart from avoidance of allergenic foods and treatment of acute allergic reactions with injectable epinephrine. Oral immunotherapy is a promising therapeutic alternative, in which patients consume small, but gradually increasing alergen doses over many months, but it is associated with frequent allergic reactions. While desensitization, or reduced reactivity to food alergens, is often achieved, the induction of long term tolerance has not yet been established. In this work I will focus on main acchivements and recent progres in oral immunotherapy for treatment of common food alergies, such as peanut, cow's milk, hen's egg and wheat.
|
