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Published on: June 29, 2021
Recombinant allergens for specific immunotherapy.
Oliver Cromwell1, Dietrich Häfner, Andreas Nandy
1Research and Development Division, Allergopharma Joachim Ganzer KG, Reinbek, Germany. oliver.cromwell@allergopharma.de
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|March 8, 2011
Summary
Recombinant DNA technology enables the production of precise allergens for detailed allergy diagnosis and immunotherapy. Genetically engineered variants offer safer, more effective treatments, with new products anticipated within five years.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Immunology
- Allergy Research
Background:
- Recombinant DNA technology allows for the production of highly consistent and well-defined allergen proteins.
- This technology facilitates the creation of both natural allergen equivalents and modified variants with reduced allergenic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the application of recombinant allergens in advanced allergy diagnostics.
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of recombinant allergens in immunotherapy, including hypoallergenic variants.
- To project the timeline for the market introduction of novel recombinant allergen-based therapies.
Main Methods:
- Cloning and expression of several hundred allergens as recombinant proteins.
- Development of genetically engineered hypoallergenic variants with reduced IgE-binding activity.
- Clinical trials for subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy using recombinant allergens and their variants.
Main Results:
- Recombinant allergens enable highly detailed patient sensitization profiling.
- Clinical studies demonstrate the effectiveness of recombinant grass and birch pollen preparations in immunotherapy.
- Hypoallergenic variants are progressing in clinical trials for enhanced safety and tolerability.
Conclusions:
- Recombinant allergens represent a significant advancement in allergy diagnosis and treatment.
- The development of hypoallergenic recombinant allergens holds promise for safer and more effective immunotherapies.
- While personalized immunotherapy remains a future goal, initial recombinant allergen products are nearing market availability.
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