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Polyethylene glycol and immunology: aspects of allergic reactions and their mechanisms, as well as ways to prevent them in clinical practice

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Abstract

In modern medical practice, where polyethylene glycol is widely used as a component of various drugs, such as vaccines, chemotherapy drugs, and antibiotics, including vaccines, the issue of allergic reactions to this substance is becoming increasingly important. The purpose of this study is to review and systematise data on various aspects of allergic reactions to polyethylene glycol with the aim of better understanding their pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, and possible treatment approaches. The study analysed literature data in modern databases, such as MEDLINE, PubMed, and Scopus, on allergic reactions to polyethylene glycol, using the keywords: “PEG”, “polyethylene glycol”, “allergy”, “side effect”. The main aspects of allergy to this substance were highlighted, including mechanisms of development, diagnostic methods, and possible treatment strategies. The analysis found that allergic reactions to polyethylene glycol can manifest in a variety of ways, including anaphylaxis and systemic reactions. A possible role for the immune response has been identified, including the production of IgE and IgM antibodies, complement activation, and accelerated clearance in response to polyethylene glycol, in blood plasma. Data are also provided on how to diagnose an increased risk of an allergic reaction in patients who have previously received drugs with this type of drug transporter and in patients receiving high molecular weight types of polyethylene glycol. The results of this review contribute to a better understanding of allergic reactions to polyethylene glycol and provide information for the development of more effective diagnostic and treatment methods.

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The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

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  1. Department of Allergology, National Medical Institute of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, 137 Woloska Str, 02-507, Warsaw, Poland

    Maria Zofia Lisiecka

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Maria Zofia Lisiecka provided study, find sources, wrote the main manuscript text and prepared figure.

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Lisiecka, M.Z. Polyethylene glycol and immunology: aspects of allergic reactions and their mechanisms, as well as ways to prevent them in clinical practice. Immunol Res (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12026-024-09473-w

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