Characterization of mutants of a highly cross-reactive calcium-binding protein from Brassica pollen for allergen-specific immunotherapy.

The major turnip (Brassica rapa) pollen allergen, belongs to a family of calcium-binding proteins (i.e., two EF-hand proteins), which occur as highly cross-reactive allergens in pollen of weeds, grasses and trees.

Omalizumab therapy in atopic dermatitis: depletion of IgE does not improve the clinical course - a randomized, placebo-controlled and double blind pilot study.

Background: Our understanding of the pathogenic role of IgE in atopic dermatitis is incomplete. We asked whether blocking free IgE would alter the course of the disease.

Patients And Methods: We administered either omalizumab, a humanized monoclonal mouse antibody against IgE, or placebo subcutaneously for 16 weeks to 20 atopic dermatitis patients and measured immunological and clinical disease parameters.