Get Tested and Treated for Mast Cell Disorders at Modena Allergy + Asthma

San Diego Mast Cell Disease Specialist

There are three major forms of mast cell disease: mastocytosis, mast cell activation syndrome, and hereditary alpha tryptasemia (HAT). Mast cell diseases cause repeated or persistent allergic reactions that can affect almost every body system.

Dr. Brian Modena of Modena Allergy + Asthma is one of the few specialists in this field. Contact the San Diego office or schedule an appointment online if you're ready to get an accurate diagnosis and symptom relief.

What is mast cell disease?

Get A Grip On Mast Cell Disease

Mast cells are white blood cells (immune cells) that are notorious for their roles in fighting parasitic infections and causing allergic reactions. They are found in every tissue in the body but are most predominant at sites exposed to the external environment. Mast cells have pre-formed granules or capsules inside of them that can be released within seconds of stimulation by environmental factors or allergens. These potent, preformed mediators (i.e., histamine, heparin, serotonin, and serine proteases) are responsible for the acute symptoms experienced in allergic conditions such as eye and nasal allergies, asthma, hives, and full-blown anaphylaxis. In mast cell disease, mast cells become numerous and/or very active in the body. There are three major forms of mast cell disease: mastocytosis, mast cell activation syndrome, and hereditary alpha tryptasemia (HAT). In all 3 of these conditions, mast cells spontaneously fire, causing allergic reactions that can affect almost every part of the body. For Patients in San Diego Mast cell disorders can cause a great deal of suffering.

What is systemic mastocytosis (SM)?

Problem: Systemic Mastocytosis (SM) is a rare immunological disease that occurs when the body makes too many of a certain cell, called a mast cell. A mast cell is an immune cell that is responsible for allergic reactions, and patients with mastocytosis experience recurrent episodes or events that resemble allergic reactions. Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is like SM in symptoms except that MCAS is caused by overactive mast cells although the body makes normal numbers of mast cells. SM and MCAS produce similar symptoms, which may affect multiple parts of the body and cause the following:

Skin: flushing, itchy, prickly, burning, or painful rashes that come and go (i.e., hives, urticaria)

Gastrointestinal: pain, bloating, cramping, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.

Cardiovascular: high heart rates, pounding heart, lightheadedness, and passing out.

Blood: low red blood cells (anemia) causing fatigue and shortness of breath, trouble with blood clotting, causing easy bleeding and bruising.

Musculoskeletal: Bone and muscle pain

Lymphatic: Enlarged liver, spleen, or lymph nodes

Psychological: Depression, mood changes or problems concentrating

In addition, patients are at risk for unpredictable and potentially life-threatening reactions (called anaphylaxis).

Treatment: Since people experience mast cell symptoms differently, determining the part of the body involved and developing a personalized therapy plan should be done with a mast cell expert or immunologist. Treatments that are commonly used include antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, leukotriene blockers, monoclonal antibodies, and newer therapies that are currently in clinical trials.

Why us? Dr. Modena has a decade of experience in treating and researching mast cell disorders. His research has included microbiome, genetics, inflammatory biomarkers, and machine learning/artificial intelligence. He uses new technologies to improve and personalize medical therapies. At Modena Allergy & Asthma, we are leading the way in research that aims to better understand and treat mast cell disorders. For those with systemic mastocytosis, we offer the opportunity to participate in a new clinical trial.

Currently Enrolling

Systemic mastocytosis (SM)

SM may affect multiple parts of the body and cause the following symptoms:

Skin: flushing, itchy, prickly, burning, or painful rashes that come and go (i.e., hives, urticaria)

Gastrointestinal: pain, bloating, cramping, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.

Cardiovascular: high heart rates, pounding heart, lightheadedness, and passing out.

Blood: low red blood cells (anemia) causing fatigue and shortness of breath, trouble with blood clotting, causing easy bleeding and bruising.

Musculoskeletal: Bone and muscle pain

Lymphatic: Enlarged liver, spleen, or lymph nodes

Psychological: Depression, mood changes or problems concentrating

In addition, patients are at risk for unpredictable and potentially life-threatening reactions (called anaphylaxis).

At Modena Allergy & Asthma, we need volunteers for a clinical trial that involves patients with nonadvanced systemic mastocytosis.

The Summit clinical trial is a Phase 2 clinical study evaluating the safety and efficacy of an investigational medication in people with nonadvanced systemic mastocytosis. This study involves a placebo arm and its primary outcome is determining the optimal dose of the investigational medication.

If you would like to learn more about participating in this clinical trial:

What are the benefits of mast cell disease treatment?

Anaphylaxis Treatment – New Hope

There are countless testimonials of people who suffered for years with mast cell disease before getting the correct diagnosis and treatment. For some people, diagnosis and therapy can result in an immediate and significant impact on their life. Since there is no cure at the moment, we work hard to prevent and/or manage allergic reactions, prevent anaphylaxis, and improve your life. Typical mast cell disorder treatments range from allergy medications to monoclonal antibody therapy to intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. If you suffer from or believe you have undiagnosed mast cell disease, call Modena Allergy + Asthma today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Modena.

San Diego mast cell disorder model smiling

Am I a good candidate for mast cell disease treatment?

Getting Tested For Mast Cell Disease

The laboratory testing for mast cell disease is not the best. It typically requires getting a blood draw (tryptase) within 2 hours of an episode or getting 24-urine collections at a time when symptoms flare and while being off of certain allergy medications. Although testing, including new genetic testing, is improving and advancing rapidly. That said, we still depend a lot on your history, pictures, and any prior medical or emergency department records.

We find that almost every person with mast cell disease benefits from regular follow-up visits and preventative therapy. We typically start low with the doses and number of medications and then slowly increase the dose until symptoms are well controlled. The exception is for those with repeated anaphylaxis episodes. Through patience, time, and often trial and error, we find that most patients improve and can resume a normal life.

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Your Mast Cell Disorder Treatment Process

Getting to Know Mast Cell Disease

Prior to your first visit, it is of utmost importance that Dr. Modena has access to and reviews any medical visit notes, labs, or imaging that you have done in the past. This information will greatly enrich the conversation between yourself and the doctor and speed up the work-up process. Meaning that you may get your diagnosis earlier and start treatment sooner. We ask all patients to sign a Medical Release Form, which will be sent to your email address. After you sign the document, we will fax the request and work with your outside doctor’s office to obtain your records. The process begins with a consultation.

Prior to the consultation, Dr. Modena will review any emergency department records where you were seen for anaphylaxis. Please bring any pictures that you may have of hives, angioedema (face swelling), or anaphylactic reactions. Dr. Brian Modena will likely recommend further lab testing and may include genetic work. Once testing has been completed, treatment can begin, which is typically recommended at the second visit. Depending on how severe your case of MCAS is, several different types of treatment may be appropriate: preventative therapy, monoclonal antibody therapy, and/or anti-anaphylaxis medications.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Recovery

Get Help For Life-Changing Anaphylaxis

There are countless testimonials of people who suffered for years with mast cell disorder before getting the correct diagnosis and treatment. For many San Diego Mast Cell Disorder patients, diagnosis and therapy can result in an immediate and significant impact on their symptoms. Nonetheless, the degree and time of recovery varies between patients, and many times some patience and trial and error are required before symptoms improve.

Treatment Results

Dr. Modena Treats You Like Family

For patients with mast cell disorder, it's crucial to note that many times treatments do not cure or completely extinguish all the symptoms. Nonetheless, there are countless testimonials of people who suffered for years with mast cell disease before getting the correct diagnosis and treatment. The expectation would be a significant improvement in symptoms, prevention of anaphylaxis, and a return to normal life and functioning.

Schedule your San Diego mast cell disease consultation with Modena Allergy + Asthma today

You Need A Plan

While mast cell disease can create a great deal of anxiety, uncertainty, and suffering, Dr. Brian Modena confidently provides testing and treatment recommendations that are most likely to work. His goal is to give you long-lasting relief and peace of mind. Schedule your consultation at Modena Allergy + Asthma in San Diego to begin your journey to recovery.