“Advances and new approaches” in the treatment of allergic diseases will be the underlying topic of the next National Immunoallergology Congress of the hospitals and clinics in Hospital da Luz network (Luz Saúde Group), which will take place next May 27, in the main auditorium of Hospital da Luz Lisboa. This is already the 3 rd edition of the congress, but for the first time exclusively on-site, since the two previous gatherings were online and mixed format, due to the pandemic. “In this congress, we wish to highlight the most recent advances in the field of Immunoallergology , as well as the importance of establishing partnerships with Obstetrics and Oncology, among other medical specialties, to optimize the healthcare provided to allergic patients in particular conditions”, explains Luís Miguel Borrego , the director of the Allergy and Immunology Centre at Hospital da Luz Lisboa, who is in charge of the organization of the congress, together with the Immunoallergology units of Hospital da Luz Arrábida, Hospital da Luz Coimbra and Hospital da Luz Oeiras. “In the context of Obstetrics, it is important to disseminate concepts and demystify ideas, allowing the adequate treatment of the pregnant woman with asthma, rhinitis and other allergic diseases , since the control of such diseases during pregnancy potentiates success and the absence of complications. The advances in the field of Immuno-oncology will also be approached, an area on the rise in these last years”, adds Luís Miguel Borrego. This congress will also be an opportunity to present the therapeutic advances in different areas, from asthma to rhinitis and eczema, and moreover the challenges in drug allergy (from children to the elderly, passing through the recent pandemic vaccines) and food allergy (due to the different stances in food allergy regarding strict eviction versus permission of the food. Present as speakers, moderators and rapporteurs there will be several renowned specialists, national and international, from different areas (Immunoallergology, Paediatrics, Oncology and Gynaecology-Obstetrics). “The intention is to create an informal atmosphere, enabling the discussion and exchange of knowledge between the participants, including a posters session with lunch box and awards for the best presentations. It will unquestionably be an opportunity to meet again colleagues and friends, in this much-awaited return to normality”, highlights Luís Miguel Borrego. Counting once again with the scientific sponsorship of the Portuguese Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (SPAIC) and the National Association of Doctors, the 3 rd Luz Saúde National Congress of Immunoallergology will be organized into four clinical sessions and two conferences. In the clinical sessions, will be discussed: The advances in immunotherapy (extracts vs molecular allergens, efficacy biomarkers and new forms of administration); The challenges in drug allergy (perioperative anaphylaxis in children and adults, drug allergy in the elderly, and the challenges that came to be posed by COVID-19 vaccination); Food allergy (to be innovative or conservative?); New therapeutic approaches (in severe asthma, atopic dermatitis, and rhinosinusitis). The two planned conferences deserve a particular emphasis for their topics and speakers: Allergy and asthma in pregnancy will be the motto of the intervention by Jennifer Namazy , immunoallergologist at Scipps Clinic (Division of Allergy and Immunology, San Diego, USA), who has been dedicating to this area a large part of her clinical practice and research activities. The closing conference – which will have for theme “IgE and cancer: the concept of allergo-oncology” – will be given by Aurélie Poli , researcher at the Luxemburg Institute of Health in the areas of allergy/oncology and neurology/immunology-. Competition of scientific posters until the 12 th May For the first time, the Luz Saúde Immunoallergology Congress will be holding a scientific posters competition. The awards to the two best works will be given during the congress: €300 euros (in credit card) for the winner, and €200 euros (in credit card) for the second place. The deadline for the submission of posters is May 12. Date and place: 27 th May 2022, from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Enrolment and program
