Latest news with #Allergy
Time of India
12-08-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Israeli scientists identify protein that could prevent painful food allergy disease
Tel Aviv: Israeli scientists have discovered that blocking a specific protein may stop a painful food allergy-related disease before it starts. The finding, Tel Aviv University announced on Monday, could lead to targeted treatments for Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) that spare patients from severe symptoms and restrictive diets. The disease - an inflammation of the oesophagus - affects an estimated 1 in 2,500 individuals. Flare-ups are caused by an abnormal allergic reaction to certain foods or environmental triggers that lead to inflammation and tissue changes in the oesophagus. Left untreated, scarring narrows the width of the oesophagus, making it difficult and painful to swallow food. In extreme cases, the oesophagus can even tear. There is no cure, and it is managed primarily by diet and medicine. But scientists at Tel Aviv University identified a protein whose neutralisation may prevent the onset of EoE. The study, conducted at the university's Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, focused on the protein thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). Researchers found that blocking it in experimental models either prevented the disease entirely or dramatically reduced its severity. Their findings were published in Allergy, a peer-reviewed journal. "Eosinophilic Esophagitis, or EoE, is a type of food allergy . It is a chronic inflammation of the esophagus caused by an abnormal immune response to food -- mainly milk, eggs, wheat, nuts, fish, and more," said Prof. Ariel Munitz, who led the study alongside doctoral student Anish Dsilva. "The disease is characterized by an accumulation of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell that is not typically present in a healthy esophagus." Symptoms include difficulty swallowing, chest and abdominal pain, food getting stuck in the throat, and in children, growth delays. EoE is often linked to asthma and atopic dermatitis. Current treatments involve strict elimination diets or amino acid-based formulas, with limited effectiveness. "Over the past decade, there has been a concerning rise in the prevalence of EoE worldwide, including in Israel," Munitz said. "We are studying the disease in depth to understand the involvement of various immune system components in its progression. These components may serve as targets for future treatment for this disease, and for other allergic disorders as well." A previous study from Munitz's lab developed an experimental model replicating EoE symptoms in humans. Building on that work, the team focused on epithelial cells -- the protective outer layer lining the esophagus. "In allergic conditions, epithelial cells release various substances in response to encountering an allergen, and these substances trigger the chain of events that initiate the inflammatory process we experience as an allergy attack," Munitz explained. The researchers observed that epithelial cells in their EoE model secreted high levels of two proteins: IL-33 and TSLP. They also found immune cells in esophageal tissue with receptors for both proteins, suggesting that each could play a role in disease development. To pinpoint which protein was more influential, the team used genetic engineering to create models lacking one protein at a time. The results were striking: removing IL-33 had little effect, but removing TSLP led to marked improvement -- in many cases, the disease did not develop at all. Antibody treatments designed to neutralize TSLP produced similar results, with significant reductions in symptoms. Further genetic and bioinformatic analysis confirmed that TSLP acts as a "key regulator" of the disease process. "These findings suggest that TSLP is not just involved but is central to driving EoE," Munitz said. "We know that pharmaceutical companies are currently developing a variety of antibodies targeting disease-causing proteins, under the broad category of biological therapies, including antibodies against TSLP. We believe these antibodies could serve as an effective treatment for EoE." The research was carried out in collaboration with Dr. Chen Varol of Ichilov Hospital, Prof. Marc Rothenberg of Cincinnati Children's Hospital, and the AstraZeneca pharmaceutical company. If future clinical trials confirm the findings, neutralizing TSLP could offer a targeted, less burdensome treatment for patients, potentially preventing years of discomfort and dietary restrictions. "EoE causes significant suffering and is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide," Munitz said. "Our study offers real hope for a therapy that addresses the disease at its source."
The Star
04-08-2025
- Health
- The Star
Love king crab but worried about allergies? Hong Kong researchers have solution
King crab is a favourite of Hong Kong seafood lovers, as long as they do not have a reaction to the delicacy, which was among six types of shellfish found to contain eight newly identified allergens. A study led by Chinese University of Hong Kong academics looked at six types of crabs popular with local diners and found 11 allergens, including eight identified for the first time. Revealing their findings, the researchers said that a more precise diagnosis would allow patients to consume crabs to which they were not allergic. 'Crabs are one of the most important types of shellfish that cause allergic reactions,' said Leung Ting-fan, a paediatrics professor at the university. Crabs are the second largest cause of food allergy among Hong Kong pupils aged six to 11 after shrimp, affecting around 0.2 per cent of them, according to research published in 2020. Crabs are a delicacy in Hong Kong, especially the most expensive king crabs, which can cost at least HK$1,800 for one weighing 2.5kg. The best season for king crabs is considered winter, with ones sourced from the cold waters of Alaska, Russia and Hokkaido in Japan highly prized. In the latest study, researchers collected blood samples from 64 subjects who have reported an allergy to crabs. The samples were tested for allergic reactivity with different substances extracted from five locally procured edible crabs – snow crab, flower crab, hairy crab, crucifix crab and green mud crab. The king crab was also included. King crabs are not considered 'true crabs'. They are closely related to hermit crabs and are considered 'false crabs' due to their evolutionary lineage and anatomical features. Professor Chu Ka-hou, a professor emeritus at the university's life sciences school, said the king crab evolved from different ancestors. 'Therefore, its biological protein structure is different from that of true crabs,' Chu said. A key difference was that king crabs only had eight legs, but others had 10, he said. Eleven allergens were found across the six types of shellfish, with eight being newly identified. The team also found that different crabs displayed different combinations of allergens. The findings were published in a recent edition of the peer-reviewed journal Allergy and presented at two international academic conferences. 'If we can understand different [allergy] patterns of different patients, we can help them hopefully avoid crabs that they are allergic to, while they can enjoy other crabs that don't have such allergens,' Leung said. While different crabs contain various sets of allergens, shellfish parts may also play a role. Mercy Chow Man-ching, 17, has been allergic to various types of fish, but not crabs or shrimp, since the age of one. However, two months ago, about 10 minutes after eating some raw crab and crab roe in South Korea, Chow displayed acute allergic symptoms. 'I felt my throat swelling and I was dizzy. My lips were swelling, too,' she said. Chow took anti-allergy pills and saw a doctor back in Hong Kong. A check found her blood had reacted to haemocyanin, an allergen identified in the study that is commonly found in crab roe. Doctors said eating crab roe could have been a reason for her acute symptoms, pending further investigation. The research findings would also contribute to the development of differentiated allergen reagents, Leung said. Currently, most reagents only target allergens in snow crabs. 'Current reagents may not be as effective in testing allergens in other crabs, leading to 'fake negatives',' he said. The study also revealed a king crab-specific allergen, malate dehydrogenase. While the substance could be found across the six shellfish surveyed and even in the human body, only that extracted from king crabs would lead to an allergy. 'We have yet to identify why it has such a large difference, but we can tell this reactivity is specific [to king crab],' said Dr Christine Wai Yee-yan, a research assistant professor of paediatrics at the university. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
Globe and Mail
17-07-2025
- Health
- Globe and Mail
EAACI Leadership Reflects on Record-Breaking Congress 2025: A Pivotal Moment for Allergy and Immunology
ZURICH, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With over 7,600 delegates in attendance, EAACI Congress 2025 made headlines not just for its scale but for the powerful message delivered by its leadership. Now, one month after the Congress concluded in Glasgow, EAACI's top figures are sharing their reflections on what they call a turning point for the field. Held from 13–16 June at the Scottish Event Campus, the event championed the theme: 'Breaking Boundaries in Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology: Integrating Planetary Health for a Sustainable Future.' 'This year's Congress was a turning point,' said Prof. Maria Torres, EAACI President. 'We are entering an era where scientific innovation, equity in care, and environmental health must move forward together.' The programme featured over 250 hours of lectures, workshops, and symposia, covering groundbreaking advances in drug allergy, T2 inflammation, paediatric asthma, and hereditary angioedema. The Presidential Symposium tackled antimicrobial resistance through a One Health lens, while a timely session on climate change and insect allergy drew global attention to ecological impacts on patient care. Far beyond the walls of the SEC, the EAACI Congress 2025 activated the entire city with initiatives that brought science to the streets. The Clinical Village at the Glasgow Science Centre welcomed the public for hands-on allergy education, while the Beat Allergy Walk & Run raised funds for the Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity, reinforcing EAACI's commitment to social impact and community engagement. 'The spirit of collaboration we witnessed in Glasgow was extraordinary,' said Prof. André Moreira, EAACI Vice President Congresses. 'This energy is now translating into real-world initiatives and global partnerships.' The Congress also highlighted EAACI's dedication to mentorship, digital health innovation, and amplifying patient's voices. The countdown for the EAACI Congress 2026 in Istanbul has officially begun, but you won't have to wait until then to dive back into cutting-edge science. From focused meetings to hands-on courses, EAACI has a packed calendar to keep you inspired all year long. Check out what's coming next at About EAACI The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) is Europe's largest professional association in the field, committed to advancing research and care for those affected by allergic diseases. Contact: communications@ | +41 44 205 55 33
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
EAACI Leadership Reflects on Record-Breaking Congress 2025: A Pivotal Moment for Allergy and Immunology
Entrance of the EAACI Congress 2025, SEC in Glasgow ZURICH, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With over 7,600 delegates in attendance, EAACI Congress 2025 made headlines not just for its scale but for the powerful message delivered by its leadership. Now, one month after the Congress concluded in Glasgow, EAACI's top figures are sharing their reflections on what they call a turning point for the field. Held from 13–16 June at the Scottish Event Campus, the event championed the theme: 'Breaking Boundaries in Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology: Integrating Planetary Health for a Sustainable Future.' 'This year's Congress was a turning point,' said Prof. Maria Torres, EAACI President. 'We are entering an era where scientific innovation, equity in care, and environmental health must move forward together.' The programme featured over 250 hours of lectures, workshops, and symposia, covering groundbreaking advances in drug allergy, T2 inflammation, paediatric asthma, and hereditary angioedema. The Presidential Symposium tackled antimicrobial resistance through a One Health lens, while a timely session on climate change and insect allergy drew global attention to ecological impacts on patient care. Far beyond the walls of the SEC, the EAACI Congress 2025 activated the entire city with initiatives that brought science to the streets. The Clinical Village at the Glasgow Science Centre welcomed the public for hands-on allergy education, while the Beat Allergy Walk & Run raised funds for the Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity, reinforcing EAACI's commitment to social impact and community engagement. 'The spirit of collaboration we witnessed in Glasgow was extraordinary,' said Prof. André Moreira, EAACI Vice President Congresses. 'This energy is now translating into real-world initiatives and global partnerships.' The Congress also highlighted EAACI's dedication to mentorship, digital health innovation, and amplifying patient's voices. The countdown for the EAACI Congress 2026 in Istanbul has officially begun, but you won't have to wait until then to dive back into cutting-edge science. From focused meetings to hands-on courses, EAACI has a packed calendar to keep you inspired all year long. Check out what's coming next at About EAACIThe European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) is Europe's largest professional association in the field, committed to advancing research and care for those affected by allergic diseases. Learn more: Contact: communications@ | +41 44 205 55 33 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Insider
16-06-2025
- Health
- Business Insider
Regeneron, Sanofi announce Dupixent outperformed Xolair
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) and Sanofi (SNY) presented positive results from the EVEREST Phase 4 trial in adults with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and coexisting asthma. In the trial, Dupixent outperformed Xolair on all primary and secondary efficacy endpoints of CRSwNP, and in all asthma-related endpoints. The data are from the first-ever presented head-to-head respiratory trial with biologic medicines and were shared in a late-breaking oral presentation at the 2025 European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, EAACI, Annual Congress. Results reinforce the efficacy of Dupixent in treating both upper and lower respiratory diseases by targeting IL-4 and IL-13, two key drivers of type 2 inflammation Confident Investing Starts Here:
