UNIVERSAL ALLERGY VACCINE FOR EVERYTHING - suppressing immunoglobulin E (IgE)

All allergies are caused by the same immune system reaction. The only difference is the allergen that causes the allergic reaction and the severity. For various reasons, allergies are becoming more and more common these days compared to the past and many of us have to take allergy medications daily or have to carry around an epi-pen. Fortunately, a few years from now, such allergies can be a thing of the past. Scientists at the University of Eastern Finland have developed a universal allergy vaccine (which means for all allergens) and hope to have it on the market in 5 - 7 years time.

Most allergy treatments currently either suppress and weaken the immune system or target the allergic response on the surface by suppressing symptoms. The drug that the Finnish team of scientists have developed stops the allergic process altogether and so far have not been found to weaken any other aspects of the immune system.

The main cause of allergic reactions is a chemical released by white blood cells called histamine. White blood cells only release this chemical when the antibody, immunoglobulin E (IgE), is activated by allergens. The team of Finnish scientists, led by Professor Juhu Rouvinen, have developed a drug that prevents the activation of IgE by allergens while still allowing allergens to bind with IgG, the body's natural allergy counter that prevents the formation of the IgE-allergen complex. The end result is a greatly diminished allergy reaction that will spell good news for everyone that suffer from allergies, mild or severe. 

The scientists have already formed a bio-tech company named Desentum to produce and sell the drug once it passes a multitude of medical tests to make sure there are no serious, adverse side effects.