IgE and immunoglobulin free light chains in allergic disease: new therapeutic opportunities.

The prevalence of allergy and associated diseases has dramatically increased during the last few decades. These hypersensitivity reactions can be subdivided into IgE- and non-IgE-dependent diseases. Anti-IgE approaches, such as omalizumab, have provided a novel treatment for allergic diseases, and have demonstrated benefit in severe allergic asthma and seasonal allergies. Nevertheless, this approach does not eliminate disease and many patients do not respond to treatment. The newly described mechanism for allergic diseases based on mast cell sensitization by Ig free light chains is exciting and may provide another approach to the treatment of allergic diseases. The peptide inhibitor F-991 has demonstrated remarkable biological activity in a number of animal models of allergic diseases, and promise for the potential treatment of allergic diseases in humans.