Immunotherapy for Food Allergy

Abstract

Although the current standard care for patients with food allergy is based on avoidance of the trigger foods with hope of possible gain of tolerance, increasing number of studies have shown that oral immunotherapy is a promising approach. Understanding the transcutaneous sensitization and oral immune tolerance to food antigens has shifted focus of treatment and prevention. However, more studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and to clarify the indication criteria to which type of patients this therapy should be applied. Easy and uncontrolled use of elimination diets for atopic dermatitis might have increased and exacerbated food allergy, and thorough innovation of our whole concept for food allergy is now required.