In this MD Newsline exclusive interview with allergist and immunologist Dr. Purvi Parikh, we discuss recent research developments in the treatment of asthma and allergies.
MD Newsline:
Is there any research that excites you or that you think is important for healthcare providers to know related to the treatment of asthma and allergies?
Dr. Purvi Parikh:
“I think this is a very exciting time for allergies and asthma because we can really personalize treatment. Up until maybe the last five or ten years, we kind of had a one-size-fits-all treatment for most people who suffered from asthma and allergies. But now, there’s been many new biologic medications which now can pinpoint the exact type of asthma you have and target it.
So that way, you’re getting the most benefit from your treatment and your medication because no two people with asthma are exactly the same. Two people with severe asthma may respond very differently to different medications. So I think it’s very exciting that we’re now using immune-based therapies to zero in on personalized healthcare for each patient.
In the allergy space, we finally have treatments for food allergies, whereas before, all we could really do was avoid the foods. Now, we finally have our first FDA-approved peanut immunotherapy or desensitization. Hopefully, we’ll see the same [treatments emerge] for other food allergens as well.”
Responses have been condensed and lightly edited.
