Re: hookworms / helminthic therapy

November 4, 2010

There are a few studies which examine the potential protective nature of areas

in South America (Venezuela specifically) which people living in slums and

endemic to helminth infections with Schistosoma mansoni. This was a

retrospective in view of protection from development of asthma, not treatment

of. In as much as treatment with helminths, there are some articles discussing

the antiasthmatic properties of certain antigens isolated from helminths, and

those are in laboratory (in vitro) studies, or in mice. As of right now, the

actions of what helminths appear to do are being sought out to find drug

targets. Nothing done in humans, and is far from drug development, which is even

further away from the FDA approval process.

Glenn

________________________________

From: jakemanp_sf <jakemanp_sf@...>

Sent: Wed, November 3, 2010 8:01:53 PM

Subject: [ ] hookworms / helminthic therapy

Has anyone on this forum tried Xolair in combination with hookworms (i.e.

helminthic therapy)? I've been on Xolair for a year, has helped my

asthma/allergies considerably, but has not entirely solved the problem.

Seriously considering giving hookworms a try.

please note that I have considered this for 3 years and believe I have exhausted

all other routes -- so I plead you to refrain from any " OMG your crazy!! "

response unless you have evaluated helminthic therapy considerably yourself.

Thanks in advance !!

November 5, 2010

Hi there,

Here are my thoughts, and I am in no way a professional, so please take it

with a grain of salt. My understanding of the treatment is that it

increases IgE levels. The theory is that once your body is fighting on that

front, it will be less active in causing other issues. Please keep in mind

I have only researched this briefly, but my though is, no to put a damper on

your enthusiasm, would it not be a bit self-defeating in regards to the

Xolair treatment?

Also, is there anything environmental that maybe causing the problem to be

so severe? Cats? Dogs? Being around cigarette smoke. Are you worse if have

a viral or bacterial infection? You didn't mention what the cause of your

asthma was. Obviously there is an allergic component to it (which why Xolair

is helping). I will try to research this some more for you. Sorry you have

to be dealing with this and I hope you find an answer and full relief soon.

I am wondering what happens if you try it. What are the possible outcomes?

Best and worst case scenarios. That is usually how I make a decision, best

and worst scenario and decide if I can live with the worse option if it

happened/ie side effects, etc..

Best,

Sheila

November 5, 2010

Sheila,

Thanks for rounding that off. I failed to mention that helminth infections

increase IgE tremendously, and yes, there would be a *relative* defeatist nature

of simultaneous treatment with a helminth and omalizumab. The body's response to

a helminth infection by increasing IgE is the attempt to kill off the helminth

itself. Thus, I would not be in too much favor for administering this

combination (Although in registry trials in Brazil, there was a good fraction of

patients who had helminth infections while receiving omalizumab).

Glenn

________________________________

From: sheila bissonnette <sheilabiss@...>

Sent: Thu, November 4, 2010 8:46:38 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] hookworms / helminthic therapy