Dale Umetsu

Dale Umetsu
NationalityAmerican
Alma mater
Known for
Scientific career
Fields
Institutions


Dale T. Umetsu is an American physician, immunologist, and researcher known for his contributions to the studies of allergies and asthma.[1] He was the Prince Turki Bin Abdul Aziz al Saud Professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and has held professorships at Stanford University, University of California, San Francisco and Boston Children's Hospital.[2]

He has conducted research into the immunobiology of allergic diseases and asthma, with a particular focus on immune cell subsets and translational medicine.[3]

Education

He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University and pursued his medical and doctoral degrees (MD/PhD) from New York University.[4] He completed his internship, residency, and fellowship in allergy/immunology at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School.[5]

Career

Umetsu began his academic career at Stanford University, where he served as a professor, Chief of Allergy/Immunology, and Director of the Asthma Center.[6] In 2005, he returned to Harvard Medical School as the Prince Turki Bin Abdul Aziz al Saud Professor of Pediatrics, and performed laboratory research funded by the NIH for more than 20 years.[7] He served Society for Mucosal Immunology as Treasurer from 2007 to 2011, as a member of the editorial board of Mucosal Immunology from 2008, as associate editor from 2009 to the present, as a board member of the American Academy of Allergy, and Immunology from 2002 to 2007, member of the Allergenic Products Advisory Committee, CBER FDA 1998–2002,[8] and as a Study Section chair with the NIH Center for Scientific Review from 1998 to 2000.[9] In 2013, Umetsu left academic medicine to become Principal Medical Director in Respiratory and Allergic Diseases and Global Development Lead for Xolair.at Genentech.[9]

At Genentech, he led the team that obtained FDA approval of Xolair for pediatric asthma, for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, the Xolair liquid formulation and for food allergy.[2]

Research

Umetsu's research interests encompass the immunobiology of allergic diseases and asthma, focusing on subsets of CD4 T cells, NKT cells, Treg cells, and innate lymphoid cells.[10] He has published over 200 manuscripts and holds nine patents, and has been working in translational medicine in asthma and food allergies.[2]

Umetsu's research demonstrated omalizumab in reducing allergic reactions, particularly in individuals with severe allergies, his work culminated in a Phase 3 study in collaboration with the NIH and subsequent FDA approval of omalizumab for food allergy in 2024.[11]

In 2004, Umetsu led a team that developed vaccines that reduced or eliminated dogs' allergic reactions to peanuts, milk, and wheat.[12] Umetsu's approach, using heat-killed Listeria mixed with allergens, targets the hygiene hypothesis.[13]

His work include mechanisms underlying asthma and allergies, including the role of immune cells such as Th2 cells, mast cells, eosinophils, and natural killer T cells and innate lymphoid cells.[14]

References

  1. ^ Chandonnet, Sarah. "Harvard U. Makes Big Strides to Cure Asthma - New York Times". New York Times. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  2. ^ a b c "Dale Umetsu". Food Allergy Science Initiative. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  3. ^ Smith, Gwen (2013-10-10). "The Hunt for a Food Allergy Cure: Where Is It Heading?". Allergic Living. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  4. ^ "Dale T. Umetsu, Chief, Adjunct Clinical Professor". eMedEvents. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  5. ^ "About the Editors". Mucosal Immunology. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  6. ^ Palca, Joe. "< New Research Could Aid Asthma Sufferers". National Public Radio.
  7. ^ "New treatment may desensitize kids with milk allergies, study suggests". ScienceDaily. 2011-03-11. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  8. ^ https://med.stanford.edu/content/dam/sm/shared/community/department-of-medicine/Immuno/Seminars_Events/conference/Immunology-Conference-Program-2019_11.7.19.pdf Dale Umetsu, MD, PhD Adjunct Professor of Medicine, Stanford University Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, UCSF On the road towards developing therapies for patients with food allergy
  9. ^ a b Fliesler, Nancy (2013-03-26). "Two-pronged treatment may ease severe peanut allergy". Boston Children's Answers. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  10. ^ "T Cells in the Pathogenesis and Prevention of Asthma". Medscape. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  11. ^ Office of the Commissioner (2024-02-16). "FDA Approves First Medication to Help Reduce Allergic Reactions to Multiple Foods After Accidental Exposure". FDA. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
  12. ^ Pallarito, Karen (12 November 2004). "Vaccine Stops Food Allergy in Dogs". www.healthday.com.
  13. ^ Bowman, Lee. "Promising vaccine could cure common food allergies". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
  14. ^ "Cure For Asthma May Come Soon". The Harvard Crimson. 2006-03-21.

External links

  • Researchgate Profile
  • Stanford profile
  • Umetsu's research
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