Scientists at Northwestern University in Illinois have found that the already used asthma drug Zileuton may prevent dangerous manifestations of food allergy. Experiments on mice showed that the drug blocks the DPEP1 gene and protected 95% of the animals from reacting to allergens.
The main advantage of the discovery is that the drug is already approved by the FDA for treating asthma, so it can be introduced into practice more quickly. It suppresses leukotrienes — molecules involved not only in airway inflammation but also in food-allergic reactions.
Today, about 10% of the world’s population suffers from food allergies. In August, the first clinical trials in humans began. If they confirm Zileuton’s effectiveness, it would be a real breakthrough: patients would gain the ability to protect themselves from sudden and sometimes deadly reactions in everyday situations — in cafes, while traveling, or at children’s parties.
