Allergy can be described as a malfunction of the human immune system causing a violent reaction against normally harmless substances in our natural environment. In this context, such substances are generally referred to as "allergens". The reaction creates an inflammation which, in turn, can lead to a variety of symptoms such as hay fever, eczema, asthma and other conditions popularly referred to as allergies.
There are genetic and environmental risk factors. To develop allergic symptoms, one must first be exposed to the specific allergen for some time to build up the allergic sensitivity, and then once more to trigger the allergic reaction. Environmental factors, such as smoking and pollution, will also add to the risk.
Initially, allergy often appears as seemingly benign condition, such as hay fever during the pollen season. In fact, many people gradually build up an allergic condition over many years before experiencing any symptoms whatsoever.
However, for some unfortunate people, a certain food or drug or an ordinary insect bite can result in sudden, life-threatening anaphylactic shock. Furthermore, of those allergies which start as eczema or gastrointestinal problems, many evolve into asthma, frequently involving respiratory symptoms such as hyperreactivity and obstruction of the airways. This direct path of development, widely referred to as "the allergy march" (1) is of prime interest for the research and development carried out within Phadia.
Our basic understanding of allergy has evolved from the discovery in 1967 of a previously unknown antibody, Immunoglobulin E or "IgE", by scientists in Uppsala and Baltimore. The most significant property of IgE antibodies is that they can be specific for hundreds of different allergens. Continued research has significantly advanced our knowledge regarding, for example, the interaction between IgE and inflammatory cells.
For effective asthma medication, one needs to look beyond the obvious symptoms. Anti-histamines, for example, may provide temporary relief by masking the symptoms, but have virtually no effect on the underlying inflammation. Other pharmaceuticals, known to be effective for seasonal allergies, must be administered weeks before exposure. The clinical use of inhaled steroids is currently gaining ground due to their anti-inflammatory effects, although overtreatment may have serious side-effects. To ensure the lowest effective dosage throughout treatment, the laboratory can periodically monitor the occurence in serum of ECP (2) released from inflammatory cells. Eosinophilic Cationic Protein is a protein generated in certain white blood cells actively engaged in the immune defense system. Using a diagnostic test developed by Phadia, ECP can be detected in body fluids.
References
- Saarinen U M, et al. Lancet 1995;346:1065-1069
- De Backer. Am J Respir 1996;153:A336