Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

GA2LEN (Global Allergy and Asthma European Network), die Perspektive der deutschsprachigen Zentren

GA2LEN (Global Allergy and Asthma European Network), the perspective of the German speaking centers

  • Positionspapier
  • Published:
Wiener klinische Wochenschrift Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Allergic diseases represent a major health problem in Europe. They are increasing in prevalence, severity and costs. GA2LEN (Global Allergy and Asthma European Network), an FP6 Network of Excellence, was created in 2005 as a vehicle to ensure excellence in research bringing together research and clinical institutions to combat fragmentation in the European research area and to tackle allergy as a whole. GA2LEN benefited greatly from the voluntary efforts of researchers who are strongly committed to this model of pan-European collaboration. The network was organized in order to increase networking for scientific projects in allergy and asthma around Europe and to make GA2LEN the world leader in the field. Besides these activities, research has been jointly made and the first papers are being published. GA2LEN achievements in general can be grouped as those for a durable infrastructure built up during the project phase those which are project-related work based on these novel infrastructures, and the development and implementations of guidelines. The major achievements of GA2LEN are reported in this paper.

Zusammenfassung

Allergische Erkrankungen stellen eines der wesentlichen Gesundheitsprobleme in Europa dar. Häufigkeit, Schweregrad und Kosten dieser Erkrankungen weisen eine steigende Tendenz auf. 2005 wurde das GA2LEN Netzwerk (Global Allergy and Asthma European Network) gegründet, ein Exzellenz-Netzwerk des 6. EU Rahmenprogramms, das es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht hatte, Spitzenforschung sicherzustellen, indem es wissenschaftliche und klinische Einrichtungen vereinen sollte und dadurch die Aufsplitterung der europäischen Forschung überwinden könne. Allergien sollten als globales Problem in Angriff genommen werden. GA2LEN profitierte immens von den freiwilligen Anstrengungen der Wissenschaftler, die sich der Idee einer pan-europäischen Zusammenbarbeit verbunden fühlten. Ursprüngliches Ziel von GA2LEN war es gewesen, die Vernetzung wissenschaftlicher Projekte, die sich mit Allergien und Asthma in Europa beschäftigen, zu verstärken und das Netzwerk so an die weltweite Spitze der Allergie-Forschung zu setzen. Daneben wurden neue, gemeinsame Forschungsprojekte initiiert und gemeinsame Veröffentlichungen publiziert. Die Errungenschaften von GA2LEN lassen sich drei Untergruppen zuordnen: 1. den Aufbau einer tragfähigen Infrastruktur, 2. Projektbezogene Arbeit und 3. die Entwicklung und Implementierung von Leitlinien. In dieser Übersichtsarbeit werden die wichtigsten Errungenschaften des GA2LEN Netzwerks dargestellt.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Referenzen

  • Bousquet J, Khaltaev N (2007) Global surveillance, prevention and control of Chronic Respiratory Diseases. A comprehensive approach. Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases. World Health Organization. (ISBN 978 92 4 156346 8) 148 pages

  • Bousquet J, Van Cauwenberge P, Khaltaev N (2001) Allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 108 [Suppl 5]: S147–334

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bousquet J, Khaltaev N, Cruz AA, Denburg J, Fokkens WJ, Togias A, et al (2008) Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) 2008 update (in collaboration with the World Health Organization, GA2LEN and AllerGen). Allergy 63 [Suppl 86]: S8–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker S, Khan-Wasti S, Fletcher M, Cullinan P, Harris J, Sheikh A (2007) Seasonal allergic rhinitis is associated with a detrimental effect on examination performance in United Kingdom teenagers: case-control study. J Allergy Clin Immunol 120: 381–387

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shaaban R, Zureik M, Soussan D, Neukirch C, Heinrich J, Sunyer J, et al (2008) Rhinitis and onset of asthma: a longitudinal population-based study. Lancet 372 (9643): 1049–1057

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan SD, Turk F (2008) An evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of omalizumab for the treatment of severe allergic asthma. Allergy 63: 670–684

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bousquet J, Neukirch F, Bousquet PJ, Gehano P, Klossek JM, Le Gal M, et al (2006) Severity and impairment of allergic rhinitis in patients consulting in primary care. J Allergy Clin Immunol 117: 158–162

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bousquet J, Demarteau N, Mullol J, van den Akker-van Marle ME, Van Ganse E, Bachert C (2005) Costs associated with persistent allergic rhinitis are reduced by levocetirizine. Allergy 60: 788–794

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zuberbier T, Lötvall J (2008) Allergies have a socio-economic impact – a model calculation. European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, annual meeting. Barcelona June 2008. Allergy 63 [Suppl 88]: S621

    Google Scholar 

  • 2008–2013 Action plan for the global strategy for the prevention and control of non communicable diseases. Prevent and control cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes (2008). URL: www.who.int/nmh/Actionplan-PC-NCD-2008.pdf; accessed 13th Sep 2009

  • Bousquet J, Bieber T, Fokkens W, Kowalski ML, Humbert M, Niggemann B, et al (2008) Important questions in allergy: novel research areas. Allergy 63: 143–147

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bousquet J, Fokkens W, Burney P, Durham SR, Bachert C, Akdis CA, et al (2008) Important research questions in allergy and related diseases: nonallergic rhinitis: a GA2LEN paper. Allergy 63: 842–853

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Demoly P, Pichler W, Pirmohamed M, Romano A (2008) Important questions in Allergy: 1 – drug allergy/hypersensitivity. Allergy 63: 616–619

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bachert C, Van Bruaene N, Toskala E, Zhang N, Olze H, Scadding G, et al (2009) Important research questions in allergy and related diseases: 3-Chronic rhinonsinusitis – a GA2LEN study. Allergy 64: 520–533

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van Cauwenberge P, Watelet JB, Van Zele T, Bousquet J, Burney P, Zuberbier T (2005) Spreading excellence in allergy and asthma: the GA2LEN (Global Allergy and Asthma European Network) project. Allergy 60: 858–864

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Warner JO (2006) Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN)-a focus for paediatric allergy research. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 17: 163

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frew AJ (2005) GA2LEN – The Global Allergy and Asthma European Network. Clin Exp Allergy 35: 122–125

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heinzerling L, Frew AJ, Bindslev-Jensen C, Bonini S, Bousquet J, Bresciani M, et al (2005) Standard skin prick testing and sensitization to inhalant allergens across Europe – a survey from the GA2LEN network. Allergy. 60: 1287–1300

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nizankowska-Mogilnicka E, Bochenek G, Mastalerz L, Swierczynska M, Dahlen B, Dahlen S, et al (2007) Aspirin provocation tests for diagnosis of aspirin sensitivity. EAACI/GA2LEN guideline. Allergy 62: 1111–1118

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Turjanmaa K, Darsow U, Niggemann B, Rance F, Vanto T, Werfel T (2006) EAACI/GA2LEN position paper: present status of the atopy patch test. Allergy 61: 1377–1384

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Werfel T, Ballmer-Weber B, Eigenmann PA, Niggemann B, Rance F, Turjanmaa K, et al (2007) Eczematous reactions to food in atopic eczema: position paper of the EAACI and GA2LEN. Allergy 62: 723–728

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carlsen KH, Anderson SD, Bjermer L, Bonini S, Brusasco V, Canonica W, et al (2008) Treatment of exercise-induced asthma, respiratory and allergic disorders in sports and the relationship to doping: part II of the report from the Joint Task Force of European Respiratory Society (ERS) and European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) in cooperation with GA2LEN. Allergy 63: 492–505

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carlsen KH, Anderson SD, Bjermer L, Bonini S, Brusasco V, Canonica W, et al (2008) Exercise-induced asthma, respiratory and allergic disorders in elite athletes: epidemiology, mechanisms and diagnosis: part I of the report from the Joint Task Force of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) in cooperation with GA2LEN. Allergy 63: 387–403

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bonini S, Rasi G, Brusasco V, Carlsen KH, Crimi E, Popov T, et al (2007) Nonspecific provocation of target organs in allergic diseases: EAACI-GA2LEN consensus report. Allergy 62: 683–694

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burney P, Potts J, Makowska J, Kowalski M, Phillips J, Gnatiuc L, et al (2008) A case-control study of the relation between plasma selenium and asthma in European populations: a GA2LEN project. Allergy 63: 865–871

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shaheen S, Potts J, Gnatiuc L, Makowska J, Kowalski ML, Joos G, et al (2008) The relation between paracetamol use and asthma: a GA2LEN European case-control study. Eur Respir J 32: 1231–1236

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keil T, Kulig M, Simpson A, Custovic A, Wickman M, Kull I, et al (2006) European birth cohort studies on asthma and atopic diseases: I. Comparison of study designs – a GA2LEN initiative. Allergy 61: 221–228

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keil T, Kulig M, Simpson A, Custovic A, Wickman M, Kull I, et al (2006) European birth cohort studies on asthma and atopic diseases: II. Comparison of outcomes and exposures-a GA2LEN initiative. Allergy 61: 1104–1111

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eller E, Roll S, Chen CM, Herbarth O, Wichmann HE, von Berg A, et al (2008) Meta-analysis of determinants for pet ownership in 12 European birth cohorts on asthma and allergies: a GA2LEN initiative. Allergy 63: 1491–1498

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Almqvist C, Worm M, Leynaert B (2008) Impact of gender on asthma in childhood and adolescence: a GA2LEN review. Allergy 63: 47–57

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tricon S, Willers S, Smit H, Burney P, Devereux A, Frew A, et al (2006) Nutrition and allergic diseases. Clin Exp Rev 6: 117–188

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Papadopoulos NG, Xepapadaki P, Mallia P, Brusselle G, Watelet JB, Xatzipsalti M, et al (2007) Mechanisms of virus-induced asthma exacerbations: state-of-the-art. A GA2LEN and InterAirways document. Allergy 62: 457–470

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meiler F, Zumkehr J, Klunker S, Ruckert B, Akdis CA, Akdis M (2008) In vivo switch to IL-10-secreting T regulatory cells in high dose allergen exposure. J Exp Med 205: 2887–2898

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brunekreef B (2008) Environmental epidemiology and risk assessment. Toxicol Lett 180: 118–122

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brunekreef B (2007) Health effects of air pollution observed in cohort studies in Europe. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 17 [Suppl 2]: S61–65

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Madsen C, Lodrup-Carlsen K, Hoek G, Oftedal B, Nasdaf P, Meliefste K, et al (2007) Modeling the intraurban variability of outdoor traffic pollution in Oslo, Norway – a GA2LEN study. Atmosph Environ 41: 7500–7511

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aguilera I, Sunyer J, Fernandez-Patier R, Hoek G, Aguirre-Alfaro A, Meliefste K, et al (2008) Estimation of outdoor NO(x), NO(2), and BTEX exposure in a cohort of pregnant women using land use regression modeling. Environ Sci Technol 42: 815–821

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kogevinas M, Zock JP, Jarvis D, Kromhout H, Lillienberg L, Plana E, et al (2007) Exposure to substances in the workplace and new-onset asthma: an international prospective population-based study (ECRHS-II). Lancet 370: 336–341

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Radon K, Gerhardinger U, Schulze A, Zock JP, Norback D, Toren K, et al (2008) Occupation and adult onset of rhinitis in the general population. Occup Environ Med 65: 38–43

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Medina-Ramon M, Zock JP, Kogevinas M, Sunyer J, Basagana X, Schwartz J, et al (2006) Short-term respiratory effects of cleaning exposures in female domestic cleaners. Eur Respir J 27: 1196–1203

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Radon K, Huemmer S, Dressel H, Windstetter D, Weinmayr G, Weiland S, et al (2006) Do respiratory symptoms predict job choices in teenagers? Eur Respir J 27: 774–778

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Riu E, Dressel H, Windstetter D, Weinmayr G, Weiland S, Vogelberg C, et al (2007) First months of employment and new onset of rhinitis in adolescents. Eur Respir J 30: 549–555

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bousquet J, Anto JM, Bachert C, Bousquet PJ, Colombo P, Crameri R, et al (2006) Factors responsible for differences between asymptomatic subjects and patients presenting an IgE sensitization to allergens. A GA2LEN project. Allergy 61: 671–680

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bousquet PJ, Chatzi L, Jarvis D, Burney P (2008) Assessing skin prick tests reliability in ECRHS-I. Allergy 63: 341–346

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bousquet PJ, Hooper R, Kogevinas M, Jarvis D, Burney P (2007) Number of allergens to be tested to assess allergenic sensitization in epidemiologic studies: results of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey I. Clin Exp Allergy 37: 780–787

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bousquet PJ, Leynaert B, Neukirch F, Sunyer J, Janson CM, Anto J, et al (2008) Geographical distribution of atopic rhinitis in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey I. Allergy 63: 1301–1309

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Watelet JB, Van Zele T, Gjomarkaj M, Canonica GW, Dahlen SE, Fokkens W, et al (2006) Tissue remodelling in upper airways: where is the link with lower airway remodelling? Allergy 61: 1249–1258

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gagliardo R, La-Grutta S, Chanez P, Profita M, Paterno A, Cibella F, et al (2009) Noninvasive markers of airway inflammation and remodeling in childhood asthma. Pediatr Allergy Immunol (in press)

  • Lang A, Carlsen KH, Haaland G, Devulapalli CS, Munthe-Kaas M, Mowinckel P, et al (2008) Severe asthma in childhood: assessed in 10 year olds in a birth cohort study. Allergy 63: 1054–1060

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carlsen KH, Kowalski ML (2008) Asthma, allergy, the athlete and the Olympics. Allergy 63: 383–386

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baiardini I, Braido F, Brandi S, Tarantini F, Bonini S, Bousquet PJ, et al (2008) The impact of GINA suggested drugs for the treatment of asthma on Health-Related Quality of Life: a GA2LEN review. Allergy 63: 1015–1030

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baiardini I, Braido F, Tarantini F, Porcu A, Bonini S, Bousquet PJ, et al (2008) ARIA-suggested drugs for allergic rhinitis: what impact on quality of life? A GA2LEN review. Allergy 63: 660–669

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bousquet J, Bachert C, Canonica GW, Mullol J, van Cauwenberge P, Bindslev-Jensen C, et al (2009) Efficacy of desloratadine in intermittent allergic rhinitis. A Ga2len study. Allergy 64: 1516–1523

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bousquet J, Del-Carpio J, group A–S (2008) Improvement in disease-specific quality of life and reduced symptom burden measured with a visual analogue scale in subjects with persistent allergic rhinitis treated with desloratadine. American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Seattle, November 2008

  • Kabesch M (2006) Gene by environment interactions and the development of asthma and allergy. Toxicol Lett 162: 43–48

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kauffmann F, Cambon-Thomsen A (2008) Tracing biological collections: between books and clinical trials. JAMA 299: 2316–2318

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Passalacqua G, Bousquet PJ, Carlsen KH, Kemp J, Lockey RF, Niggemann B, et al (2006) ARIA update: I – Systematic review of complementary and alternative medicine for rhinitis and asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 117: 1054–1062

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bonini S, Bonini M, Bousquet J, Brusasco V, Canonica GW, Carlsen KH, et al (2006) Rhinitis and asthma in athletes: an ARIA document in collaboration with GA2LEN. Allergy 61: 681–692

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cruz AA, Popov T, Pawankar R, Annesi-Maesano I, Fokkens W, Kemp J, et al (2007) Common characteristics of upper and lower airways in rhinitis and asthma: ARIA update, in collaboration with GA2LEN. Allergy 62 [Suppl 84]: S1–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bousquet J, Bindslev-Jensen C, Canonica GW, Fokkens W, Kim H, Kowalski M, et al (2004) The ARIA/EAACI criteria for antihistamines: an assessment of the efficacy, safety and pharmacology of desloratadine. Allergy 59 [Suppl 77]: S4–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bousquet J, van Cauwenberge P, Ait Khaled N, Bachert C, Baena-Cagnani CE, Bouchard J, et al (2006) Pharmacologic and anti-IgE treatment of allergic rhinitis ARIA update (in collaboration with GA2LEN). Allergy 61: 1086–1096

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Custovic A, Wijk RG (2005) The effectiveness of measures to change the indoor environment in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and asthma: ARIA update (in collaboration with GA2LEN). Allergy 60: 1112–1115

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Passalacqua G, Durham SR (2007) Allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma update: allergen immunotherapy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 119: 881–891

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van Weel C (2008) General practitioners' central role in management of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Allergy 63: 1005–1007

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan D, van Weel C, Bousquet J, Toskala E, Ahlstedt S, Palkonen S, et al (2008) Primary care: the cornerstone of diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. Allergy 63: 981–989

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bousquet J, Reid J, van Weel C, Baena Cagnani C, Canonica GW, Demoly P, et al (2008) Allergic rhinitis management pocket reference 2008. Allergy 63: 990–996

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zuberbier T, Worm M (2006) Allergies and the skin, an interdisciplinary approach in GA2LEN and EAACI activities. Allergy 61: 1373–1376

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zuberbier T, Bindslev-Jensen C, Canonica W, Grattan CE, Greaves MW, Henz BM, et al (2006) EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF guideline: management of urticaria. Allergy 61: 321–331

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zuberbier T, Bindslev-Jensen C, Canonica W, Grattan CE, Greaves MW, Henz BM, et al (2006) EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF guideline: definition, classification and diagnosis of urticaria. Allergy 61: 316–320

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brozek JL, Baena-Cagnani CE, Bonini S, Canonica GW, Rasi G, van Wijk RG, et al (2008) Methodology for development of the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma guideline 2008 update. Allergy 63: 38–46

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Division of Immunology, Allergy and Infectious Diseases (DIAID), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Stefan Wöhrl & Katharina Moritz

  2. Clinical Centre of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Unit for Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology & Net Teaching, Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Munich, Germany

    Katja Radon

  3. Department of Dermatology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany

    Johannes Ring

  4. Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), Davos, Switzerland

    Cezmi Akdis

  5. National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, Respiratory Epidemiology and Public Health, London, UK

    Peter Burney

  6. Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    Paul Van Cauwenberge

  7. University Hospital, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, Montpellier and INSERM U780, France

    Jean Bousquet

  8. Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Allergy Centre (ECARFC), Medical University of Berlin/Charité, Berlin, Germany

    Torsten Zuberbier

Authors
  1. Stefan Wöhrl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Katja Radon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Johannes Ring
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Katharina Moritz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Cezmi Akdis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Peter Burney
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Paul Van Cauwenberge
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Jean Bousquet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Torsten Zuberbier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Torsten Zuberbier.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wöhrl, S., Radon, K., Ring, J. et al. GA2LEN (Global Allergy and Asthma European Network), die Perspektive der deutschsprachigen Zentren. Wien Klin Wochenschr 121, 589–597 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-009-1246-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-009-1246-z

Keywords

Schlüsselwörter

Search

Navigation