Suzy, a college student who is 21 years old, has suffered from many environmental and food allergies as well as allergic asthma since grade school. She had taken allergy injections and numerous medications, but her asthma was still problematic. Her doctor suggested she try a new type of prescription medication given by injection called Xolair. Xolair works by binding to IgE antibodies.

(a) Describe how an allergic response occurs, including the sensitization stage, and the role of IgE antibodies in this process.

(b) Briefly describe what allergic asthma is, and how Xolair could reduce the incidence of allergic asthma attacks.

(c) Suzy also found that she could safely eat many of the foods to which she had been allergic after about 6 months of Xolair shots. Explain why this side-benefit occurred.