Mast
cell activation is a central event in development of allergic disorders and contribute to pathogenesis of many other inflammatory and neoplastic conditions. Improved understanding of normal and pathologic mechanisms regulating mast
cell differentiation, survival and activation may therefore lead to development of new therapies for these disorders. A number of important breakthroughs have recently been realized in our understanding of mastocytosis, a disorder characterized by pathologic mast cell growth and activation. Significant advances were made in such key areas as uncovering
genetic basis of disease, establishment of objective diagnostic criteria, and emergence of novel treatment…
