Emerging Therapies, Diagnostic Approaches, and Mechanistic Insights in Allergic Diseases

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Immunology and Immunotherapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 728

Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Department of Allergology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
2. Department of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Doctor Carol Davila Nephrology Clinical Hospital, 010731 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: allergens; molecular diagnosis; atopic eczema; drug allergy; allergic rhinitis; asthma; anaphylaxis; urticaria; immunotherapy
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Allergic diseases continue to pose major diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in daily clinical practice. Although new biologic agents, improved diagnostic algorithms, and component-resolved testing have broadened the clinician’s toolkit, many patients still experience delayed diagnosis, uncontrolled symptoms, or unpredictable treatment responses.

The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight the most recent advances in diagnostic approaches, mechanistic understanding, and emerging therapeutic strategies for major allergic diseases, including asthma, atopic dermatitis, chronic urticaria, food allergies, and drug hypersensitivity reactions. The objective is to present research that enhances diagnostic accuracy, deepens our understanding of immune dysregulation, and supports the development of personalized treatments, ultimately improving patient stratification, treatment response, and long-term disease control.

This Special Issue welcomes high-quality original research and review articles focused on innovative diagnostic methods, mechanistic insights, and emerging therapeutic approaches in allergic diseases. Submissions may address topics including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Advances in diagnostic tools: in vivo and in vitro testing, molecular allergy diagnostics, component-resolved diagnosis, basophil activation testing.
  • Pathophysiological and immunological mechanisms in asthma, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, chronic urticaria, allergic rhinitis, and drug hypersensitivity reactions (both immediate and delayed).
  • Novel biologics and targeted therapies, including anti–IL-4R, anti–IL-5/5R, anti-IgE, anti–TSLP, JAK inhibitors, and other emerging molecules.
  • Environmental, microbiome, genetic, and epigenetic factors contributing to allergic disease development and progression.
  • Translational and preclinical research identifying new therapeutic targets or pathways.
  • Innovations in immunotherapy, tolerance induction strategies, and desensitization protocols for food or drug allergies.
  • Real-world evidence regarding effectiveness, safety, and long-term outcomes of new diagnostic or therapeutic strategies.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Roxana Silvia Bumbãcea
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • allergic diseases
  • allergological work-up
  • component-resolved diagnosis
  • biomarkers
  • endotypes and phenotypes
  • asthma
  • atopic dermatitis
  • chronic urticaria
  • food allergy
  • drug hypersensitivity
  • immunotherapy
  • biologic therapies
  • precision medicine

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

23 pages, 3775 KB  
Article
Real-World Effectiveness, Corticosteroid-Sparing Effects, and Exploratory Immunological Correlates of Omalizumab Add-On Therapy in Hospitalized Patients with Acute Urticaria
by Tingting Jiang, Zhiqiang Zhang, Li Wu, Jing Li and Ruzhi Zhang
Biomedicines 2026, 14(8), 1802; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14081802 - 11 Aug 2026
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Hospitalized patients with acute urticaria often present with rapid symptom progression, severe pruritus, angioedema, and a high risk of short-term relapse. Systemic glucocorticoids provide rapid anti-inflammatory control but raise concerns about cumulative exposure and adverse effects. This real-world study evaluates whether [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Hospitalized patients with acute urticaria often present with rapid symptom progression, severe pruritus, angioedema, and a high risk of short-term relapse. Systemic glucocorticoids provide rapid anti-inflammatory control but raise concerns about cumulative exposure and adverse effects. This real-world study evaluates whether adding omalizumab to systemic glucocorticoids improves efficacy, safety, and steroid-sparing outcomes and explores associated immunological correlates. Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated the real-world, off-label use of omalizumab as add-on therapy in hospitalized patients with acute urticaria treated between 2023 and 2026. We compared UAS7 scores, itch VAS, resolution times, the primary efficacy outcome of complete remission within 7 days, the key secondary efficacy outcome of recurrence within 14 days, corticosteroid exposure, adverse events, and immune–inflammatory markers. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce imbalances in measured baseline covariates, and a multivariable exploratory model with LASSO regression identified factors linked to short-term outcomes. Results: A total of 73 patients met the eligibility criteria and were included in the study, including 39 patients who received conventional glucocorticoid-centered therapy and 34 patients who received additional omalizumab. Measured baseline characteristics were generally comparable, although imbalances remained in sex and selected leukocyte measures. The combination group showed faster UAS7 and VAS declines from Day 1, with widening differences at Days 3, 7, and 14. Combination therapy shortened the time to wheal and angioedema resolution, achieved a 7-day complete remission rate of 82.9% vs. 53.3%, and reduced 14-day recurrence to 17.1% vs. 40.0%. Total corticosteroid exposure and tapering duration were significantly reduced, with lower incidences of overall adverse events, gastrointestinal discomfort, and hyperglycemia. The exploratory model identified elevated neutrophil counts as a risk factor for poorer outcomes, while combination therapy was associated with reduced risk (bootstrap-corrected AUC 0.812, Brier score 0.126). Conclusions: In hospitalized patients with acute urticaria, adding omalizumab to systemic glucocorticoids is associated with faster symptom relief, lower short-term recurrence, reduced steroid exposure, and a better short-term safety profile. This combination may benefit selected patients with severe disease and angioedema, though prospective validation is warranted. Full article
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