The invention concerns bifunctional fusion molecules, and novel, safer and
more efficacious methods for the treatment of immune disorders resulting
from excessive or unwanted immune responses. The invention provides
methods for the suppression of type I hypersensitive (i.e., IgE-mediated)
allergic conditions, methods for the prevention of anaphylactic responses
that occur as a result of traditional peptide immunotherapies for
allergic and autoimmune disorders, and provides novel methods for the
treatment of autoimmune conditions, where the methods have reduced risk
of triggering an anaphylactic response. The invention provides novel
therapeutic approaches for the treatment of allergic responses, including
the prevention of anaphylactic response that can occur from environmental
allergen exposure. The invention also provides methods for the treatment
of autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, autoimmune type I
diabetes mellitus, and rheumatoid arthritis. The invention also provides
methods for preventing anaphylactic response during traditional antigen
therapies.