The Key Events Dose-Response Framework: A Foundation for Examining Variability in Elicitation Thresholds for Food Allergens

Authors: Taylor, Steve¹; Gendel, Steven²; Houben, Geert³; Julien, Elizabeth⁴

Source: Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, Volume 49, Number 8, September 2009 , pp. 729-739(11)

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Abstract:

Food allergies are caused by immunological reactions in individuals sensitized to normal protein components of foods. For any given sensitized individual, the severity of a reaction is generally assumed to be proportional to the dose of allergenic protein. There is substantial clinical evidence that “threshold” doses exist for the elicitation of an allergic reaction; however, the threshold (i.e., lowest dose that elicits a reaction) varies substantially across the sensitized population. Current approaches to protecting sensitized individuals from exposure to food allergens are highly qualitative (i.e., they rely on food avoidance). The Key Events Dose-Response Framework is an analytical approach for refining understanding of the biological basis of the dose-response. Application of this approach to food allergy provides a foundation for a more rigorous quantitative understanding of variability in allergic response. This study reviews the allergic disease process and the current approaches to identifying thresholds for food allergens. The pathway of key biological events occurring between food intake and allergic response is considered, along with factors that may determine the nature and severity of response to food allergens. Data needs, as well as implications for identifying thresholds, and for characterizing variability in thresholds, are also discussed.

Keywords: Low dose dose-response; food allergy; thresholds; minimal eliciting dose; Key Events Dose-Response Framework

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10408390903098707

Affiliations: 1: Food Allergy Research and Resource Program, Dept. of Food Science & Technology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA 2: Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, USA 3: Quality of Life, TNO, Zeist, Netherlands 4: ILSI Research Foundation, Washington, DC, USA

Publication date: 2009-09-01

The Key Events Dose-Response Framework: A Foundation for Examining Variability in Elicitation Thresholds for Food Allergens

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