Top in allergy/asthma: FDA approves Xolremdi; new law protects kids with allergies

X4 Pharmaceuticals has announced that the FDA approved Xolremdi as a treatment for warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections and myelokathexis, also known as WHIM, syndrome, a rare and chronic primary immunodeficiency.

Xolremdi (mavorixafor) is approved for patients aged 12 years and older.

“Mavorixafor is an oral once-daily capsule form that is an antagonist of the receptor,” Paula Ragan, PhD, president and CEO of X4 Pharmaceuticals, told Healio. “It’s helping turn it off.”

A phase 3 study of mavorixafor among adolescents and adults with WHIM syndrome found “resoundingly high or increased improvements in both neutrophil counts and lymphocyte counts,” according to Ragan. It was the top story in allergy/asthma last week.

Another top story was about new legislation in Maryland called Elijah’s Law, which requires state departments to have guidelines in place for childcare centers to reduce the risk for anaphylactic reactions to food allergy.

The law is named after Elijah-Alavi Silvera, a 3-year-old who died after his childcare provider fed him a sandwich that contained an allergen.

Read these and more top stories in allergy/asthma below:

FDA approves mavorixafor for WHIM syndrome

The FDA has approved mavorixafor for treating warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections and myelokathexis — or WHIM — syndrome, a rare and chronic primary immunodeficiency, according to a press release from X4 Pharmaceuticals. Read more.

Maryland Governor signs Elijah’s Law, protecting children with allergies

Maryland lawmakers passed HB1195, or Elijah’s Law, which requires state departments to develop a set of guidelines for childcare centers to reduce the risk for anaphylactic reactions to food allergen. Read more.

Climate change linked with increases in autoimmune diseases

The effects of climate change break down epithelial barriers, enabling pollutants and other materials to penetrate the body and trigger or exacerbate autoimmune diseases, according to a review published in Frontiers in Science. Read more.

Peanut allergen powder yields fewer epinephrine-treated reactions vs. other treatments

Patients experienced fewer reactions that required epinephrine during oral immunotherapy with peanut allergen powder compared with other immunotherapy methods, according to a study published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Read more.

Intrinsic risk factors may trigger alpha-gal syndrome

Intrinsic factors such as blood type, medical history, allergies and family history contribute to the risk for developing alpha-gal syndrome, according to a study published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Read more.