High IgE levels to α‐lactalbumin, β‐lactoglobulin and casein predict less successful cow's milk oral immunotherapy. Issue 8 (28th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kuitunen, M.; Englund, H.; Remes, S.; Movérare, R.; Pelkonen, A.; Borres, M. P.; Mäkelä, M. J.
• Is Part Of: Allergy. Volume 70:Issue 8(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 955
• Page End: 962
• Publication Date: 2015-05-28
• Subjects: Allergy -- Periodicals; 616.97
• DOI: 10.1111/all.12647
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0105-4538

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="all12647-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="all12647-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>A new treatment option for persistent cow's milk allergy (CMA) is oral immunotherapy (OIT). Not all patients develop tolerance during therapy, and markers to identify those who will benefit from it are needed. The objective was to study the IgE and IgG<sub>4</sub> antibody profiles to milk and milk proteins before and after OIT in relation to clinical outcome.</p> </sec> <sec id="all12647-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Seventy‐six children (5–17 years) with challenge‐verified CMA were subjected to a 6‐month OIT protocol. The treatment aimed at reaching a maintenance dose of 200 ml CM (high dose = HD). Those who did not reach target were analysed as a low‐dose (LD) group. Sera were characterized before and after OIT regarding serum levels of IgE and IgG<sub>4</sub> to milk and five milk allergen components evaluated together with clinical CMA symptoms and outcome of OIT.</p> </sec> <sec id="all12647-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Fifty‐five (72%) patients reached the maintenance dose (HD) during therapy. High specific IgE levels towards the milk allergens α‐lactalbumin (<italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>0.048), β‐lactoglobulin (<italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>0.006) and casein (<italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>0.015) before OIT start were associated with lower maintenance dose reached. Patients who developed desensitization had a larger increase in IgG<sub>4</sub> levels to α‐lactalbumin (<italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>0.034), β‐lactoglobulin (<italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>0.010), casein (<italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>0.047) and lactoferrin (<italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>0.030) during treatment than those who failed.</p> </sec> <sec id="all12647-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Component‐resolved diagnostics before OIT can help to identify children with lower probability of a successful OIT outcome, as high IgE levels to α‐lactalbumin, β‐lactoglobulin and casein are associated with lower maintenance dose reached. An increase in the IgG<sub>4</sub> concentration to milk components during treatment indicated effective desensitization.</p> </sec> </abstract>