CT-P39 Compared With Reference Omalizumab in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: Results From a Double-Blind, Randomized, Active-Controlled, Phase 3 Study.

Background: This study compared the therapeutic equivalence of CT-P39 (an omalizumab biosimilar) and EU-approved reference omalizumab (ref-OMA) in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Methods: This double-blind, randomized, active-controlled Phase 3 study (NCT04426890) included two 12-week treatment periods (TPs). In TP1, patients received CT-P39 300 mg, ref-OMA 300 mg, CT-P39 150 mg, or ref-OMA 150 mg.

Non-allergic factors that influence asthma control in pregnancy.

Introduction: Numerous factors may influence the asthma course during pregnancy, potentially elevating the risk of specific pregnancy complications. This study aimed to evaluate non-allergic factors influencing asthma and to assess perinatal outcomes between asthmatic and non-asthmatic pregnancies in the population of the Pomeranian Voivodeship region of Poland.

Methods: The mixed cohort study was performed with 83 pregnant asthmatic patients aged 18-38 years.

The Role of Exhaled Breath Condensate in Chronic Inflammatory and Neoplastic Diseases of the Respiratory Tract.

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are among the most common chronic respiratory diseases. Chronic inflammation of the airways leads to an increased production of inflammatory markers by the effector cells of the respiratory tract and lung tissue. These biomarkers allow the assessment of physiological and pathological processes and responses to therapeutic interventions.

Venom Immunotherapy Does Not Affect Survival of Patients with Malignant Tumor in Poland.

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is a well-established and efficient method of causative treatment for allergic rhinitis, asthma and insect venom allergy. Traditionally, a recent history of malignant neoplasm is regarded as a contraindication to AIT due to concerns that AIT might stimulate tumor growth. However, there are no data confirming that the silencing of the Th2 response affects prognosis in cancer.

Basophil Activation Test Is Inferior to Provocation Test in Diagnosing Aspirin Hypersensitivity.

Introduction: Diagnostic of aspirin (ASA) hypersensitivity is largely based on provocation tests. However, they have significant limitations including influence of medications, necessity of hospitalization, and safety issues. Basophil activation test (BAT) seems to be a promising in vitro alternative.

The influence of nutritional habits, body mass index and intestinal microbiota in mastocytosis on clinical symptoms using conventional culture and next generation sequencing.

Background: Mastocytosis is a rare neoplastic disease of the bone marrow associated with the proliferation and accumulation of mast cells in various internal organs, including the gastrointestinal tract. There are few studies describing the gut microbiome of patients with mastocytosis using next generation sequencing supported using traditional culture methods. The aims of the study were, firstly, the determination of nutrition habits, composition of the intestinal microflora and BMI in mastocytosis, and secondly, analysis of mastocytosis severity and symptoms depending on the composition of the intestinal microflora.

Influencing factors on the safety and effectiveness of venom immunotherapy.

Background And Objective: The safety profile of venom immunotherapy (VIT) is a relevant issue and considerable differences in safety and efficacy of VIT have been reported. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers during VIT, which has already been published. For a second analysis, data concerning premedication and venom preparations in relation to systemic adverse events (AE) during the up-dosing phase and the first year of the maintenance phase were evaluated as well as the outcome of field stings and sting challenges.

Hypersensitivity of azo dyes in urticaria patients based on a single-blind, placebo-controlled oral challenge.

Introduction: The role of azo dyes in urticaria is not fully understood.

Aim: To assess the incidence rate of hypersensitivity reactions to food azo dyes based on a placebo-controlled oral challenge in a group of patients with suspected urticaria exacerbation after consuming food additives.

Material And Methods: The study included patients over 18 years of age with chronic urticaria, in whom hypersensitivity to food additives was suspected based on a questionnaire and medical history.

The role of the clinical and psychological symptoms of mastocytosis in the patient's quality of life.

Introduction: Patients with mastocytosis have various clinical and psychological symptoms, for example, life-threatening anaphylactic reactions or anxiety, resulting in decreased quality of life (QoL).

Aim: To assess the clinical and psychological symptoms (such as depression, anxiety) as well as the quality of life and satisfaction with life in patients with mastocytosis.

Material And Methods: The study group included 85 patients with mastocytosis (57 women and 28 men) treated at the Department of Allergology, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland.

Protocol of safe vaccination against COVID-19 in patients with high risk of allergic reactions.

Background: Sars-CoV-2 infections are hazardous, especially to the elderly and patients with comorbidities. With no efficient treatment available, newly developed vaccines are the only way to change the course of the pandemic. However, reports of allergic reactions resulted in some patients and practicing physicians being concerned about the safety of vaccine administration, particularly in people with severe anaphylactic reactions to multiple or unknown factors in their medical history.

Carmine allergy in urticaria patients.

Introduction: Carmine, a commonly used natural red dye, can cause immediate and delayed allergic reactions, which are frequently overlooked.

Aim: To assess the incidence of carmine allergy and its clinical significance based on the placebo-controlled oral challenge in urticaria patients and suspected hypersensitivity to food additives.

Material And Methods: Patients' histories were recorded by means of a standardized questionnaire.

Assessing quality of life in patients with mastocytosis: development of the disease-specific questionnaire.

Introduction: Appropriate and targeted psychological care, as well as psychoeducation covering the disease causes, symptoms, and their management are crucial elements of the therapeutic process in patients with mastocytosis. This care is based on the identification of problematic areas that are of the greatest importance for patients. The quality of life questionnaires available in Poland are designed for the general population; therefore, they do not encompass the specificity of difficulties experienced by people suffering from mastocytosis.

expression as a new potential marker of efficacy in grass pollen allergen-specific immunotherapy.

Introduction: Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the core treatment in allergic rhinitis and asthma. Although widely used, some patients do not benefit from treatment and there is no efficacy objective marker.

Aim: To define the profile of gene transcripts during the build-up phase of AIT and their comparison to the control group and then search for a viable efficacy marker in relation to patient symptoms.

β-blockers and ACE inhibitors are not a risk factor for severe systemic sting reactions and adverse events during venom immunotherapy.

Background: There is controversy whether taking β-blockers or ACE inhibitors (ACEI) is a risk factor for more severe systemic insect sting reactions (SSR) and whether it increases the number or severity of adverse events (AE) during venom immunotherapy (VIT).

Methods: In this open, prospective, observational, multicenter trial, we recruited patients with a history of a SSR and indication for VIT. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate whether patients taking β-blockers or ACEI show more systemic AE during VIT compared to patients without such treatment.

Oral premedication in patients with a history suggesting hypersensitivity to iodinated contrast media.

Introduction: Iodinated contrast media (ICM) are pharmaceuticals widely used in diagnostic procedures. Adverse effects associated with their administration are quite frequent and mostly mild. However, they raise concerns in patients and doctors in the context of their future use.

COMMD8 changes expression during initial phase of wasp venom immunotherapy.

Background: Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA) is of great concern because of the possibility of anaphylaxis, which may be fatal. Venom immunotherapy (VIT) is the only disease-modifying treatment in HVA and, although efficient, its mechanism remains partially unknown. Gene expression analysis may be helpful for establishing a proper model of tolerance induction during the build-up phase of VIT.

Smoking history is negatively associated with allergen specific immunotherapy efficacy: a retrospective analysis.

Introduction: Allergen specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the only treatment modifying the course of the disease in patients allergic to airborne allergens. It has been proven to be effective in allergic populations, however individual patients vary in terms of response to the therapy.

Aim: To assess the factors that might affect the efficacy of AIT.

Evaluation of asthma course in pregnancy.

The prevalence of asthma has been rising in recent decades. It is the most common disease among pregnant women andaffects ca. 12% of this population.

Histoplasmosis in an elderly polish tourist - a case report.

Background: Histoplasmosis is a mycosis caused by soil-based fungus Histoplasma capsulatum endemic in the USA, Latin America, Africa and South-East Asia. The disease is usually self-resolving, but exposure to a large inoculum or accompanying immune deficiencies may result in severe illness. Symptoms are unspecific with fever, cough and malaise as the most common.

The Role of TRAF4 and B3GAT1 Gene Expression in the Food Hypersensitivity and Insect Venom Allergy in Mastocytosis.

Mastocytosis is an uncommon disease classified as a myeloproliferative neoplasm, however, its symptoms are broad and place patients at crossroads between dermatology, hematology and allergology. Patients with mastocytosis often suffer from symptoms resulting from the activation and release of mediators from the mast cells, such as generalized itching, redness, headache, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, bone pain or arthritis, hypotension and shock. The possible severe, fatal or near fatal reactions caused by food hypersensitivity are reasons for the research focused on marker identification.

Changes in the Expression of MicroRNA in the Buildup Phase of Wasp Venom Immunotherapy: A Pilot Study.

Background: Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the most effective method of treatment in allergy to wasp venom. However, its mechanism of action is still not fully understood. The aim of this study is to describe changes in microRNA (miRNA) expression in patients undergoing the buildup phase of venom immunotherapy.