Inhibition of allergic reactions with antibodies to IgE.

Numerous clinical studies show that direct interference with the IgE response leads to a decrease or elimination of allergic symptoms. The aim of these studies was to design a therapy aimed at decreasing IgE levels in order to ameliorate atopic disease. To this end, a murine monoclonal antibody, MAE11, directed against IgE was identified, which had all the properties necessary to interfere with IgE responses, but lacked the harmful side effects of inducing receptor cross-linking.