Asthma Health Article

Allergy shots

Allergy shots, also known as allergen immunotherapy, are recommended for people who suffer from atopic asthma when their daily routine makes it difficult for them to avoid contact with suspect allergens, such as dust mites, pet dander, and grass pollen. A series of shots with gradually increasing amounts of allergen may be given over a number of months or even years. The shots are actually vaccines containing various allergens, such as pollen or dust mites. This increased exposure to the allergen seems to desensitize the body's immune system to these allergy triggers. Allergy shots can diminish the severity of asthma symptoms and also lower the dosages of other asthma medications that patients must take to keep their asthma under control.

In more detail, research studies suggest that allergy shots work by modifying the behavior of the important Th1 and Th2 cells of the immune system. Immunotherapy might activate Th1 cells (which produce "normal" immune responses) and depress the activity of Th2 cells, which release substances that stimulate plasma cells to make the IgE antibody.

Medical research and experimental treatments

A new experimental procedure involves injecting "anti-IgE" substances that combine with IgE in the blood. This prevents IgE from stimulating the release of histamine from mast cells. It is hoped that anti-IgE treatments would reduce the amount of corticosteroid use by asthmatic patients. So far, this form of treatment provides only temporary relief and scientists are actively searching for more effective anti-IgE medications.

Future research may lead to the development of genetic screening tests that can identify children who may be at risk for developing asthma. Such at-risk children could then be placed in early intervention programs that would be designed to help them avoid specific situations that could set off their immune systems and produce typical asthma symptoms.

A number of major gene therapy research projects are now focusing on developing new techniques for controlling the activity of genes involved in producing symptoms of asthma. Researchers want to figure out how to shut off or reduce the intensity of typical symptoms of asthma without impairing normal body function.

Currently, no cure exists for asthma. However, medical research is continuing its quest to gain a better understanding of the physiological and genetic basis of asthma. New medications are providing more effective long term and short term control of asthma symptoms.

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