The experimental inhibition of reagin-mediated reactions.

Introduction Recent studies facilitated by the availability of a myeloma form of IgE have provided important new information about the mechanism of hypersensitivity reactions of the immediate-type. Consequently, a clearer insight is being obtained into those immunoiogical events which initiate the release of pharmacological mediators: events which, until recently, had been mainly investigated in experimental anaphylaxis systems involving sensitization by antibodies of the IgG type. It seems to be an appropriate time, at the inception of a new journal of Clinical Allergy, to attempt to assess the relevance of these new developments to the clinician; and to consider ways in which they could possibly be exploited to achieve the more effective control of allergic conditions in humans. First, however, it is necessary to define the terms of reference.