Mast cells and basophils: models for studying the antianaphylactic potency of drugs.

Disodium chromoglycate, an antiasthmatic drug, which is effective in inhibiting mediator release from bronchial mast cells, failed to inhibit allergen-induced histamine release in vitro from actively sensitised basophils of grass pollen sensitive children and adults. In contrast, ketotifen, a drug that has been demonstrated in a number of placebo controlled studies to be of lower efficacy in vivo, inhibits histamine release. Our data support the concept that human basophils and mast cells respond differently to antianaphylactic drugs.