[Progress in understanding and therapy of allergic immediate hypersensitivity with antihistaminics]

Mast cells and basophils play a central role in the pathophysiology of immediate type allergic reactions. After binding of at least 2 IgE-antibodies with the antigen, the mediators of inflammation of these cells are released. Major progress in our understanding of this mechanism changed our knowledge about the pharmacologic properties of histamine antagonists. It could be demonstrated that some of them possess antiallergic properties, that means that they inhibit the release of mediators of inflammation of mast cells and basophils.