New Way to Eliminate Source of Asthma?

U.S. researchers say they’ve found a way to eliminate the source of immune system molecules that cause asthma and other allergic diseases.

These soluble IgE moleclues are produced by immune cells called B cells. While targeting IgE in the blood is an effective treatment for moderate-to-severe allergic asthma, this approach doesn’t stop IgE production and patients require repeated treatments.

According to the May 10 edition of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, scientists from Genentech say they’ve developed a way to eliminate IgE-producing B cells.  This finding could potentially lead to new long-lasting treatments for asthma and other allergic diseases.  So far the method has only been tested in mice, where it proved highly effective.

Word on Health awaits the results of future studies in humans.