Breakthrough in Allergy Treatment: Generex Biotechnology Announces Research Collaboration

Researchers at Generex Biotechnology's subsidiary, Antigen Express, Inc., have made significant strides in developing a novel approach to controlling both fatal and disabling allergic reactions. A research collaboration agreement with Stallergenes, SA, a major European firm in immunological treatments for allergy and asthma, aims to design and test Ii-Key/allergen epitope hybrid peptides. This innovative method seeks to direct the immune response away from the allergic pattern, targeting the root cause of allergic reactions rather than just treating symptoms.

Key Takeaways:

• The research collaboration between Antigen Express and Stallergenes focuses on designing and testing Ii-Key/allergen epitope hybrid peptides to create a novel approach for controlling asthma and allergen-related reactions.
• The Ii-Key peptide, a segment of the immunoregulatory protein, increases the potency of HLA-DR presented epitope by about 200 times in cell culture experiments and 8-10 times after injecting animals.
• The approach stimulates a strong T helper cell type 1 (TH1) response, directing the immune response away from the allergic pattern, unlike traditional allergy treatments that focus on symptom management.
• Antigen Express scientists have successfully applied a similar method to stimulate responses to cancer and infectious disease antigens.
• This treatment method targets the cause of allergic reactions, offering a potential breakthrough in the field of allergy treatment.

Statistics:

• About 200 times increase in potency of HLA-DR presented epitope in cell culture experiments.
• 8-10 times increase in potency after injecting animals.
• 1 in 10 individuals in North America suffers from asthma, with 1 in 4 suffering from allergy-related symptoms (Source: American Lung Association).
• 10-30% of children in Europe suffer from asthma (Source: European Respiratory Society).
• 80-90 million people in the United States suffer from allergies (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Sources:

• Health & Medicine Week editors from staff and other reports.
• NewsRx.com.