The Division of Allergy and Immunology at CHAM conducts cutting-edge biomedical research. We integrate the latest scientific and medical advances and are committed to spearheading novel treatments for children and adolescents suffering from allergy and immunology disorders.
Our faculty members have been pioneers in understanding the mechanisms and therapies for congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies, including AIDS, as well as associated autoimmune disorders and infectious diseases. We also focus on mechanisms of in vivo protection from HIV infection.
Over the years our Division has been involved in clinical trials investigating new drugs for allergic disorders, asthma, angioedema, primary immunodeficiencies, HIV and autoimmune disorders. Our program encourages ongoing, active interaction with faculty in the basic sciences at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and other institutions.
We are currently conducting numerous research studies, including those involving:
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B- and T-cell regulatory mechanisms in immune deficiencies
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Circulating immune complexes and inflammatory cytokines in common variable immune deficiency (CVID); use of biologicals to control cytokine aberrations (anti-IL1β, anti TNFα, anti-IL-6, interferon-y and others)
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The effect of EBV viremia CVID and DiGeorge syndrome on immune parameters and pre-lymphomatous conditions; generation of specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) (in collaboration with physicians at Memorial Sloan Kettering )
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New York State newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), an inherited condition in which the body is unable to fight off serious and life-threatening infections
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Transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy-predictive immune parameters
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Long-term effects of enzyme replacement therapy for adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency
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Antibody titer and affinity following Pneumovax and Prevnar 13 vaccinations
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Treatment of autoimmune neuropathies with high doses of IVIG and Rituxan
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Autoimmune disorders in immune deficiencies
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Clinical, immunological and genetic patterns in mannose-binding lectin (MBL) deficiency
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Immune parameters in HIV-exposed/uninfected newborns (in collaboration with the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology & Women's Health Services)
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Epidemiology and clinical aspects of HIV infection in children, adolescents and women
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Food allergies: evaluation, challenge tests and desensitization
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Drug allergies
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Immune parameters in “chronic” Lyme disease, effect on B-cell function, MBL and natural killer (NK) cells
Industry-sponsored research includes:
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Kinetics of subcutaneous gammaglobulin administered with hyaluronidase
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Recombinant ADA-PEG enzyme replacement in ADA deficiency
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Asthma endotypes: exposure to infectious diseases—a multiplex assay