AllergoOncology in Review: Harnessing Allergy in the Field of Oncology to Improve Patient Outcomes

The AllergoOncology field brings together the study of allergic and cancer immune responses, having evolved from early epidemiological studies that reported inverse associations between allergies, IgE and cancer risk. Insights from studying allergic inflammation are revealing previously unappreciated immune mechanisms that confer protective effects against cancer, and evasion pathways that facilitate tumour progression. AllergoOncology sheds light on cancers with poor prognosis, including glioma, where evidence has pointed to allergic triggers that may influence glioma biology through rewiring immune surveillance. Allergic signals point to new biomarkers that may identify groups at higher risk of developing cancer, aid patient stratification and help monitor treatment and clinical outcomes. Allergic mediators such as histamine and IgE levels are emerging biomarkers that can inform cancer risk and lead to clinical interventions that improve outcomes. Emerging cancer immunotherapies, such as tumour antigen-specific IgEs, an evolving therapy class, are and will continue to be inspired by understanding allergic immune response mechanisms. Assays, including the Basophil Activation Test developed for monitoring and managing allergic reactions, are translated to the oncology clinic to evaluate hypersensitivity to anti-cancer therapeutics. Allergy research brings fundamental benefits for oncology through understanding and harnessing allergic and cancer-associated mechanisms in AllergoOncology for patient benefit.