BIOMARKERS FOR ALLERGEN IMMUNOTHERAPY
BIOMARKERS FOR ALLERGEN IMMUNOTHERAPY
The present invention relates to the field of medical diagnostics. In particular, it relates to methods and kits for determining treatment efficacy of allergen immunotherapy, and for measuring or detecting biomarkers in a subject undergoing allergen immunotherapy. For example, the invention provides a method of determining efficacy of an allergen immunotherapy in a subject, the method comprising: providing a first sample obtained from a subject before receiving allergen immunotherapy; providing a second sample obtained from the subject who has received, or who is receiving, allergen immunotherapy; wherein the first and second samples comprise B-cells; and determining the level or amount of one or more biomarkers in B-cells, preferably allergen-specific B-cells, in the first and second samples, wherein the biomarkers are selected from the group consisting of IgE, CD29, CD69, IL13Rα, CD99, IgD, CXCR4, FCRL3, FCRL2, FCRL5, SIGLEC10, CDIc, CD23, and IL4Rα; wherein an increase in the level or amount of one or more biomarkers selected from IgE, CD29, IL13Rα, CD99, FCRL3, FCRL2, SIGLEC10, CD1c, CD23, and IL4Rα in B-cells in the second sample compared to the first sample indicates efficacy of an allergen immunotherapy in a subject, and/or wherein a decrease in the level or amount of one or more biomarkers selected from CD69, IgD, CXCR4, FCRL3, FCRL2, FCRL5, CD1c, CD23, IL4Rα in B-cells in the second sample compared to the first sample indicates efficacy of an allergen immunotherapy in a subject.