Pseudo-allergy exposed

The perpetual worry for clinicians in administering injectable drugs is the chance they will induce allergic-type reactions either at the site of injection, or systemically if given during surgery. The problem turns out to be related to a single receptor, according to findings from a group at Johns Hopkins University that showed the mast cell protein MRGPRX2 triggers histamine release in response to a range of drugs.

The academics have partnered with GlaxoSmithKline plc to develop an allergy antidote. But the team also wants to leverage the discovery to create a screen for predicting adverse drug reactions in preclinical testing, and is looking for partners to advance the platform...