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Recombinant allergens in specific immunotherapy

Current concepts and developments

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Abstract

Allergens produced by recombinant DNA technology have the ability to improve allergy diagnosis and are used as reference standards for analytical methods. In addition, the use of recombinant allergens in specific immunotherapy has long been considered potentially superior compared with the use of conventional extracts. The advantages are clear: a complex natural substance that is difficult to characterize is replaced by only those components relevant for treatment, which furthermore can be reproduced in pharmaceutical quality. The challenges faced here include selecting the relevant allergen molecules and establishing a manufacturing that meets all the regulatory requirements for marketing authorization. In addition to unmodified recombinant allergens, hypoallergenic variants with lower IgE reactivity can also be made by genetic engineering. Proof of concept has been demonstrated for both these approaches in clinical trials.

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Abbreviations

AIT:

Allergen-specific immunotherapy

CpG:

Cytosine phosphatidyl guanine

DBPC:

Double-blind placebo-controlled

DRF:

Dose response finding

EMA:

European Medicines Agency

GMP:

Good manufacturing practice

LPS:

Lipopolysaccharides

IDIT:

Intradermal immunotherapy

IgE:

Immunoglobulin E

IgG:

Immunoglobulin G

IL:

Interleukin

ILIT:

Intralymphatic immunotherapy

MHC:

Major histocompatibility complex

RSMS:

Rhinoconjunctivitis symptom and medication score

SCIT:

Subcutaneous immunotherapy

SDS:

Sodium-dodecyl sulfate

SLIT:

Sublingual immunotherapy

SMS:

Symptom medication score

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Allergopharma GmbH & Co. KG, Research & Preclinical Development, Reinbek, Germany

    Andreas Nandy & Steen Klysner

  2. Clinical Development, Allergopharma GmbH & Co. KG, Reinbek, Germany

    Dietrich Häfner

  3. Allergopharma GmbH Co. KG, Hermann-Koerner-Straße 52, 21465, Reinbek, Germany

    Andreas Nandy

Authors
  1. Andreas Nandy
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  2. Dietrich Häfner
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  3. Steen Klysner
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andreas Nandy.

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Conflict of interests

Andreas Nandy, Dietrich Häfner and Steen Klysner are employees of Allergopharma GmbH & Co. KG

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Nandy A, Häfner D, Klysner S. Recombinant allergens in specific immunotherapy: Current concepts and developments. Allergo J Int 2015;24:143–51

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Nandy, A., Häfner, D. & Klysner, S. Recombinant allergens in specific immunotherapy. Allergo J Int 24, 143–151 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40629-015-0054-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40629-015-0054-4

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