Âé¶¹´«Ã½

Health

'Universal' allergy therapy a step closer

By Andy Coghlan

16 July 2008

THE first “universal” allergy therapy is a step closer following successful trials in people allergic to house dust mites and cat dander.

The series of shots has the potential to treat a host of different allergies because it doesn’t rely on giving people tiny doses of the specific substance that they are allergic to, unlike most existing therapies. Instead, it works by distracting the overactive immune system, which is thought to be the cause of most allergic reactions. Patients receive a molecular “decoy” which makes their body behave as if it is under attack by a bacterium. Distracted, it stops…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with Âé¶¹´«Ã½ events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, today with our introductory offers

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop