Methods for Suppressing Allergic Reactions

Abstract

A method of treating a subject suffering from an allergic disorder is provided, the method including inducing rapid desensitization to an allergen, the rapid desensitization effectuated by: administering to the subject a plurality of equal doses of a first anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody, wherein the plurality of equal doses are administered over a 6 to 8 hour period and wherein each dose is lower than a level required to induce shock, thereby inducing rapid desensitization to the allergen. Monoclonal antibodies and methods of co-administering or consecutively administering a combination thereof to effectuate rapid desensitization are also provided.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a subject suffering from an allergic disorder, the method comprising inducing rapid desensitization to an allergen, said rapid desensitization effectuated by: administering to the subject a plurality of equal doses of a first anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody, wherein the plurality of equal doses are administered over a 6 to 8 hour period and wherein each dose is lower than a level required to induce shock, thereby inducing rapid desensitization to the allergen. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a dose of anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody is administered hourly. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each dose is half the dose required to induce shock or less than half the dose required to induce shock. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody binds to all human and rhesus monkey FcϵRIα. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody is IE7. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody only binds to FcϵRIα that is not associated with IgE. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody is IB10. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the allergen is selected from the group consisting of protein, food, pollen, mold spores, dust, animal dander, insect debris, blood serum, drugs, cosmetics, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the allergen is a food allergen selected from the group consisting of peanut, tree nut, and dairy. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising subsequently administering a plurality of equal doses of a second anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody, wherein each dose is lower than a level required to induce shock, thereby inducing rapid desensitization to the allergen. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody is IE7 and the second anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody is IB10. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  comprising administering a total of 6 to 8 hourly doses of the first anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody, wherein each of the last 3 to 4 hourly doses of the first anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody is co-administered with a dose of a second anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each dose of the second anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody is an equal dose. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each dose of the second anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody is lower than a level required to induce shock. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each dose of the second anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody is substantially the same as each dose of the first anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody and the second anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody each bind to a different epitope of human or rhesus monkey FcϵRIα. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody is IE7. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the second anti-FcϵRIα monoclonal antibody is IB10. 
     
     
         19 . A monoclonal antibody that specifically binds human or rhesus monkey FcϵRIα, wherein said antibody is IE7 and wherein said antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising SEQ ID NO: 3 and a light chain variable region comprising SEQ ID NO: 4. 
     
     
         20 . A monoclonal antibody that specifically binds human or rhesus monkey FcϵRIα that is not IgE-associated, wherein said antibody is IB10 and wherein said antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising SEQ ID NO: 1 and a light chain variable region comprising SEQ ID NO: 2.