Analysis of adherence and determinants of sublingual immunotherapy in patients with Artemisia pollen-induced allergic rhinitis / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective:To monitor adherence to specific sublingual immunotherapy （SLIT） in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis（AR）, analyse factors influencing adherence, and provide research support to effectively improve adherence. Methods:Patients with AR who underwent Artemisia pollen SLIT at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from May 2021 to April 2022 were retrospectively followed up by telephone to investigate the current status of treatment, count the causes of shedding, and extract relevant information from their medical record data for analysis. Results:Of the 112 patients surveyed, 34 discontinued treatment（30.3%）; patients who experienced adverse reactions and SLIT patients who had been on treatment for more than 6 months showed relatively good adherence（P<0.05）. The main reasons for discontinuation in patients who dropped out were: asymptomatic discomfort during the non-pollen phase and therefore discontinuation of treatment or feeling that treatment was ineffective 9 cases（26.5%）, forced discontinuation due to vaccination or pregnancy, or epidemics 6 cases（17.6%）. Conclusion:Long-term adherence of patients to Artemisia pollen SLIT still needs to be brought to the attention of healthcare professionals, especially in the early stages of treatment when good patient education and good channels of trust and communication between doctors and patients need to be established.

Compliance and withdraw reason of sublingual immunotherapy in 245 patients with allergic rhinitis / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the compliance of patients with allergic rhinitis（AR） receiving sublingual immunotherapy and its influencing factors. Methods:The clinical data of 291 AR patients who received sublingual immunotherapy for dust mites at the First Hospital of Peking University from January 2016 to January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, and their outpatient or telephone follow-up was conducted. For patients whose treatment time was less than 2 years, the time and reason for the loss were recorded, and the factors affecting their compliance were discussed from the aspects of gender, age, and education. Results:Among the 291 patients, 245 cases（84.2%） were successfully followed up, and 193 cases（78.8%） fell off midway（treatment time<2 years）. The overall compliance rate was 21.22%（52/245）. The compliance rate of children is higher than that of adults（χ²=21.306, P<0.05）, and gender and education level have no significant effect on the compliance rate. The time period for the largest number of shedding was 6-<12 months after treatment（68 cases, 27.8%）. The main cause of shedding was symptom relief, which was considered cured（16.7%）. Secondly, within 3 months after treatment, a total of 61 patients（24.9%） fell off, of which 34 cases（13.9%） fell off because of troublesome medication, often missed medication, and simply stopped taking the drug. Statistics on the overall reasons for shedding in 193 patients, the top three shedding reasons were: cured after symptom relief（59 cases, 30.6%）, troublesome medication, discontinuation after missed dose（44 cases, 22.8%）, slow onset or ineffectiveness（26 cases, 13.5%）. Conclusion:The overall compliance of sublingual immunotherapy in patients with allergic rhinitis is poor, and the compliance of children is better than that of adults. Clinicians should focus on the reasons for patients to fall off at various times, strengthen patient education, enhance patient confidence in treatment, and improve the compliance of patients.

Inmunoterapia con ácaros Valergen por vía sublingual y subcutánea en pacientes alérgicos. Cabaiguán 2010-2019 / Sublingual and subcutaneous Valergen mite immunotherapy in allergic patients in Cabaiguán 2010-2019

RESUMEN Fundamento: La inmunoterapia consiste en la administración de dosis crecientes del alérgeno para controlar la sensibilidad hacia este. Objetivo: Describir el comportamiento de la inmunoterapia por vía subcutánea o sublingual a ácaros. Metodología: Estudio retrospectivo realizado en Cabaiguán, periodo de 2010 a 2019, el universo de 267 pacientes con pruebas positivas a ácaros y la muestra de 53 pacientes. Los datos se obtuvieron del registro de datos. Resultados: Usó la vía sublingual el 60.4 %, predominó el grupo de edad entre 5-18 años (41.5 %), la vía subcutánea se utilizó en un 39.6 %, fue más frecuente en el sexo masculino (58.5 %). La vía subcutánea se indicó mayoritariamente en la rinitis alérgica (20.7 %) y la sublingual en el asma (32.1 %); para ambas, fue el Dermatofagoide pteronyssinus el ácaro de mayor sensibilidad y utilización (43.4 %), el tiempo de administración dominante fue de 3 años (67.9 %). El control de los síntomas se alcanzó con la vía sublingual (37.7 %). En la vía sublingual no se presentaron eventos adversos en el 43.3 %, con la vía subcutánea 11.3 % de los eventos adversos fueron locales y 7.6 % sistémicos leves. Conclusiones: La vía sublingual fue la más utilizada, la de mayor control de los síntomas y menos eventos adversos en el estudio.

ABSTRACT Background: Immunotherapy consists of the administration of the allergen increasing doses to control sensitivity towards it. Objective: To describe the behavior of subcutaneous or sublingual immunotherapy to mites. Methodology: Retrospective study carried out in Cabaiguán, from 2010 to 2019, the universe of 267 patients with positive tests to mites and the sample 53 patients. Data were obtained from the data record. Results: 60.4 % used sublingual, the age group between 5-18 years prevailed (41.5 %), the subcutaneous was used in 39.6 %, and it was more frequent in males (58.5 %). The subcutaneous was indicated mainly in allergic rhinitis (20.7 %) and sublingual in asthma (32.1 %); for both, Dermatofagoide pteronyssinus was the highest sensitivity and use mite (43.4 %) the dominant administration time was 3 years (67.9 %). Symptom control was achieved by sublingual (37.7 %). In sublingual, there were no adverse events in 43.3 %, with the subcutaneous, 11.3 % of the adverse events were local and 7.6 % were mild systemic. Conclusions: Sublingual was the most used, the one with the highest control of symptoms and the fewest adverse events in the study.

Imunoterapia e imunobiológicos na dermatite atópica / Immunotherapy and immunobiologicals in atopic dermatitis

Na última década, avanços consideráveis na compreensão da patogênese da dermatite atópica têm pavimentado a via de um número de novos tratamentos. A melhora da imunoterapia subcutânea com alérgenos e a introdução da imunoterapia sublingual deram lugar à prospecção de sua aplicação para adultos e crianças portadoras de dermatite atópica. Esta revisão apresenta resultados das pesquisas científicas, análises sistemáticas e metanálises que confirmam a eficácia clínica da imunoterapia com alérgenos para pacientes com dermatite atópica de curso moderado ou grave, que apresentam sensibilização a aeroalérgenos. Apresentamos também novas informações de como usar os bioterapêuticos que estão levando a tentativas mais eficazes de tratamento. A esperança é de que estes novos biológicos ou antagonistas de pequenas moléculas, que têm alta especificidade para as moléculas-alvo, possam diminuir os efeitos indesejáveis causados pelos agentes imunossupressivos sem um alvo específico, como os observados pelas drogas de ampla ação biológica. Com o desenvolvimento e subsequentemente com a aprovação dos bioterapêuticos pelas agências reguladoras, nós começamos a ver uma revolução clínica e terapêutica no tratamento da dermatite atópica. As fontes de dados incluíram artigos originais, revisões e publicações indexados nos bancos de dados PubMed, MEDLINE, LILACS, SciELO e publicações on-line nos últimos 15 anos. Como resultado, uma nova era no tratamento de pacientes com doenças crônicas graves está em andamento na nossa especialidade. O uso de imunoterapia subcutânea, imunoterapia sublingual e bioterapêuticos para dermatite atópica prometem grande precisão e efetividade na medicina personalizada.

In the past decade, considerable advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis have paved the way for a number of new treatments. The improvement of subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy and the introduction of sublingual immunotherapy provided prospects of their administration both for adults and children suffering from atopic dermatitis. This review includes results of scientific studies, systematic reviews and metaanalyses that confirm the clinical efficacy of allergen immunotherapy for patients with moderate and severe atopic dermatitis who are sensitive to aeroallergens. Also, new information on how the use of biotherapeutics is leading to more effective approaches to treatment is presented. Hopefully these new biologicals or small molecule antagonists, which have high specificity for their target molecules, will decrease the undesirable off-target effects commonly observed with current immunosuppressive agents that are characterized by broad biological actions. With the development and subsequent regulatory approval of biotherapeutic agents, a clinical and therapeutic revolution has begun in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Data sources included original articles, reviews and related texts published over the past 15 years, retrieved from PubMed, MEDLINE, LILACS and SciELO databases and other online publications. As a result, a new era in the treatment of patients with severe chronic diseases has been observed in our specialty. The use of subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy, sublingual immunotherapy and biotherapeutics for atopic dermatitis promises greater precision and effectiveness in a personalized medicine.

Sublingual Immunotherapy for Japanese Cedar Pollinosis Attenuates Asthma Exacerbation

No abstract available.

Inmunoterapia con extractos industriales de ácaros domésticos en niños menores de 5 años de edad con rinitis y asma / Immunotherapy with industrial extracts of house mites in children under 5 years old with rhinitis and asthma

La inmunoterapia sublingual (ITSL), se emplea en niños por la seguridad que ofrece, aunque existen algunas discordancias en cuanto a la edad de aplicación. Con el objetivo de profundizar en esta vía de tratamiento, se realizó un estudio en el universo de niños de 6 meses hasta 5 años cumplidos, en el área de salud Previsora Camagüey, Cuba. La muestra se estableció en aquellos que tenían antecedentes personales y familiares de atopia con rinitis y asma. El grupo de estudio, los atendidos en el servicio de Alergología con prueba de punción cutánea positiva a Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp), Dermatophagoides siboney (Ds) y Blomia tropicalis (Bt) e ITSL a los mencionados ácaros. El grupo control, los no atendidos por Alergología. En ambos grupos se registró la asistencia a urgencias, ingresos hospitalarios, consumo de medicamentos, cuestionarios RQLQm y AQLQm de Juniper, al inicio del estudio y a los 15 años de seguimiento. La positividad de la prueba fue mayor en rinitis alérgica, tanto en los menores de 2 años como en los de 2 a 5 años. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre estos dos grupos de edad. Predominaron los sensibilizados a Dp+Ds+Bt, con porcentajes superiores al 50 por ciento. La asistencia a servicios de urgencias e ingresos hospitalarios, en el grupo de estudio fue menor que en el control, así como el consumo de medicamentos, y la puntuación de calidad de vida fue superior en el grupo de estudio. Los niños menores de 5 años con ITSL tienen menor probabilidad de consumir medicamentos, asistir a urgencias e ingresar a hospitales y su calidad de vida es superior a los controles(AU)

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is used in children for its safety, although there are some disagreements regarding the age of application. In order to study this treatment in depth, a study was conducted in children from 6 months to 5 years old in the health area of Previsora Camagüey, Cuba. The sample was taken in the children population with rhinitis, asthma and personal and family history of atopy. The study group, those treated in the Allergology service with positive skin prick test (SPT) to mites: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp), Dermatophagoides siboney (Ds) and Blomia tropicalis (Bt) and SLIT to these mites. Children not treated by the Allergology service were the control group. In both groups, emergency attendance, hospital admissions, drug consumption were recorded, as well as the RQLQm and Juniper AQLQm questionnaires, at the beginning of the study and after 15 years of follow-up. The positive SPT were higher in allergic rhinitis, both children under 2 years and 2 to 5 years old. No statistical significance was found between these age groups. Allergic sensitivity was mainly found to Dp+Ds+Bt, with percentages higher than 50 percent. The attendance to emergency services and hospital admissions in the study group was lower than in the control, as well as the drug consumption. The quality of life score was higher in the study group. Children under 5 years old with SLIT are less likely to consume medications, to attend the emergency room and hospitalization, and their quality of life is superior to controls(AU)

Determinação da potência relativa de extratos alergênicos de Phleum pratense por testes cutâneos / Establishing the relative potency of Phleum pratense allergenic extracts using skin prick tests

Objetivos: Comparar a potência de extratos europeus de Phleum pratense para imunoterapia sublingual (ITSL), em relação ao extrato referência norte-americano. Métodos: Foram selecionados 15 sujeitos, com idade entre 18 e 55 anos, histórico clínico sazonal compatível e teste cutâneo com alta reatividade a gramíneas. O delineamento de estudo foi transversal, triplo cego e randômico, e comparadas as potências dos seguintes extratos alergênicos para ITSL: (A) Soluprick® (30 HEP/mL) e (B) Grazax® 75.000 SQ-T, ambos os extratos da ALK-Abelló; (C) Oralair® e (D) Staloral®, com 300 IR/mL, Stallergènes, França. O extrato de origem norteamericana (E) foi o padrão, contendo 10.000 BAU/mL. Todos os extratos foram usados em forma de concentrados e nas diluições 1:3, 1:10, e 1:30. Os testes foram aplicados em quadruplicata em dois dias não consecutivos. Os diâmetros de pápula e eritema foram registrados após 15 minutos. Resultados: Não houve diferença significativa entre os testes realizados no primeiro e segundo dias (p = 0,37) com extratos concentrados, na diluição 1:3 e também 1:10 (p = 0,20 e p = 0,33, respectivamente). No segundo dia de testes, a média obtida das pápulas do extrato A foi de 16,7 mm na diluição 1:3; de 14,3 mm na diluição 1:10; e de 9,8 mm na diluição 1:30. Houve diferenças significativas entre os extratos A, B, C, D e E na comparação entre as médias das pápulas obtidas em todas as diluições, mostrando diferença de potência entre os extratos. O diâmetro das pápulas obtidas com o material concentrado, em ordem decrescente de potência, foram C > A > E > D > B. As reações observadas com extratos concentrados mostrou que o mais potente foi Staloral, e o menos potente Grazax. Conclusões: Houve variabilidade significativa de potência nos diversos extratos comparados. Isto reforça a necessidade de padronização de extratos alergênicos para ITSL.

Objectives: To compare the potency of European Phleum pratense pollen extracts for sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) compared to the U.S. reference extract. Methods: Fifteen subjects aged between 18 and 55 years, with compatible seasonal clinical history and skin tests highly reactive to grass, were selected. The design was cross-sectional, blind, randomized. The following extracts were compared for SLIT: (A) Soluprick® (30 HEP/mL) and (B) Grazax® 75,000 SQ-T, both from ALK-Abelló; (C) Oralair® and (D) Staloral®, with 300 IR/mL, Stallergènes, France. The American extract (E) was the standard 10,000 BAU/mL. Extracts were used in concentrate form and also diluted in 1:3, 1:10, and 1:30 ratios. Tests were applied in quadruplicate on two nonconsecutive days. Skin test reading were done after 15 minutes. Results: There were no significant differences between the tests conducted on the first and second days with the extracts in concentrate form (p = 0.37) or diluted at 1:3 or 1:10 (p = 0.20, p = 0.33, respectively). On the second day of tests, mean wheal sizes obtained with extract A were 16.7 mm with the 1:3 dilution, 14.3 mm with the 1:10 dilution, and 9.8 mm with the 1:30 dilution. There were significant differences between extracts A, B, C, D and E when comparing mean wheal sizes obtained with all dilutions, demonstrating differences in the extracts' potency. Mean wheal diameters obtained with the concentrates, in decreasing order of potency, were C > A > E > D > B. The reactions showed that the most potent extract was Staloral, and the least potent, Grazax. Conclusions: There were significant potency variations in the different extracts assessed. These results reinforce the need for standardization of allergenic extracts used for SLIT.

Microarray-Based Multivariate Analysis of the Effectiveness of Sublingual Immunotherapy for Cedar Pollinosis

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is an effective treatment for allergic diseases. However, the mechanism by which this therapy exhibits its efficacy has not been fully delineated. To elucidate the mechanisms of SLIT in the treatment of cedar pollinosis (CP), we performed a multivariate analysis of microarray data on mRNA expression in CD4⁺ T cells and basophils. Although 2-year treatment with SLIT using cedar extracts was effective in >70% of patients with CP, the remaining patients did not respond to this therapy. The mRNA expression levels in peripheral CD4⁺ T cells and basophils from both high- and non-responder patients before and after undergoing SLIT were comparatively studied using microarray analysis. By processing the data using serial multivariate analysis, an apoptosis pathway was extracted in both CD4⁺ T cells and basophils. Conclusively, the strong treatment effectiveness of SLIT in patients with CP may be caused by the induction of apoptosis in CD4⁺ T cells and basophils in these patients (Trial registry at University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry Database, UMIN000016532).

Efficacy and Safety of Sublingual Immunotherapy in Elderly Rhinitis Patients Sensitized to House Dust Mites

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the efficacy and safety of house dust mite (HDM)-sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in elderly patients with AR. METHODS: A total of 45 patients aged ≥ 60 years with HDM-induced AR who had ≥ 3 A/H ratio on skin prick test and/or ≥ 0.35 IU/L to both Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus by ImmunoCAP were enrolled in 4 university hospitals. To evaluate additional effects of HDM-SLIT, they were randomized to the SLIT-treated group (n = 30) or control group (n = 15). Rhinoconjunctivitis total symptom score (RTSS), rhinoscopy score, Korean rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire, rhinitis control assessment test, asthma control test scores, and adverse reactions, were assessed at the first visit (V1) and after 1 year of treatment (V5); for immunological evaluation, serum levels of HDM-specific immunoglobulin A/IgE/IgG1/IgG4 antibodies and basophil response to HDMs were compared between V1 and V5 in both groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographics, RTSS, skin reactivity to HDMs, or serum total/specific IgE levels to HDMs (P < 0.05, respectively) between the 2 groups. Nasal symptom score and RTSS decreased significantly at year 1 in the 2 groups (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in percent decrease in nasal symptom score and RTSS at year 1 between the 2 groups (P < 0.05); however, rhinoscopic nasal symptom score decreased significantly in the SLIT-treated group (P < 0.05). Immunological studies showed that serum specific IgA levels (not specific IgE/IgG) and CD203c expression on basophils decreased significantly at V5 in the SLIT-treated group (P = 0.011 and P = 0.001, respectively), not in the control group. The control group required more medications compared to the treatment group, but there were no differences in adverse reactions. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that HDM-SLIT for 1 year could induce symptom improvement and may induce immunomodulation in elderly rhinitis patients.

Inmunoterapia con vacunas Valergen por vía sublingual en asmáticos de Cabaiguán, Sancti Spíritus / Imunoterapia com vacinas de Valerge por via sublingual em asmáticos de Cabaiguán, Sancti Spíritus / Immunotherapy with Valergen sublingual vaccines in asthmatics patients from Cabaiguan to Sancti Spiritus

Introducción: la inmunoterapia sublingual se abre paso en la práctica alergológica, numerosos estudios avalan su eficacia y seguridad. Objetivo: caracterizar los resultados con el uso de las vacunas Valergen vía sublingual, en pacientes asmáticos, del municipio Cabaiguán. Método: se realizó una investigación descriptiva-prospectiva, de enero del 2013 a diciembre del 2016 en pacientes con diagnóstico de asma bronquial intermitente, persistente leve y moderado. El universo quedó constituido por 467 pacientes. La muestra fue de 44 pacientes, de todas las edades y sexos que reunían esas condiciones, fueron atendidos en consulta durante todo el periodo de estudio y evaluado cada paciente al cumplir tres años de tratamiento con inmunoterapia. Los datos fueron obtenidos de las historias clínicas y del registro de vacunación del departamento de alergia. Resultados: predominaron los pacientes del sexo femenino, entre 5-14 años (34,1 por ciento), el Dermatofagoide pteronyssinus fue el ácaro de mayor sensibilidad y utilización (45,4 por ciento), a los 3 años de tratamiento predominaron los pacientes con un mejor control de sus síntomas (72,7 por ciento), no se presentaron eventos adversos (79,5 por ciento) en los pacientes, los presentados fueron clasificados como locales y/o sistémicos leves (20,5 por ciento). Conclusiones: la inmunoterapia sublingual para el asma bronquial demostró ser segura y clínicamente favorable en los pacientes estudiados(AU)

Introduction: sublingual immunotherapy makes its way into allergological practice and numerous studies confirm its effectiveness and safety. Objective: to characterize the results with the use of Valergen sublingual vaccines in asthmatic patients of Cabaiguan municipality. Method: a descriptive-prospective investigation was conducted from January 2013 to December 2016 in patients diagnosed with intermittent bronchial asthma, persistent, slow and moderate. The universe was constituted by 467 patients. The sample was of 44 patients, of all ages and sexes, who met these conditions, were seen in consultation during the studied period and evaluated each patient after three years of treatment with immunotherapy. The data were obtained from the clinical records and the vaccination record of the allergy department. Results: female patients between 5-14 years (34.1 percent), and Dermatophagoide pteronyssinus was the mite with the highest sensitivity and use (45.4 percent), after 3 years of treatment, patients with a better control of their symptoms (72.7 percent), there were no adverse events (79.5 percent) in the patients, those presented were classified as local and mild systemic (20.5 percent). Conclusions: sublingual immunotherapy for bronchial asthma proved to be safe and clinically favorable in the patients(AU)

Introdução: a imunoterapia sublingual faz parte da prática alergológica, e numerosos estudos confirmam sua eficácia e segurança. Objetivo: caracterizar os resultados com o uso de vacinas sublinguais de Valergen, em pacientes asmáticos, do município de Cabaiguán. Método: inquérito descritivo-prospectivo foi realizado no período de janeiro de 2013 a dezembro de 2016 em pacientes com diagnóstico de asma brônquica intermitente, persistente leve e moderada. O universo foi constituído por 467 pacientes. A amostra foi de 44 pacientes, de todas as idades e sexos que preencheram essas condições, foram atendidos em consulta durante todo o período do estudo e avaliaram cada paciente após três anos de tratamento com imunoterapia. Os dados foram obtidos a partir dos registros clínicos e do registro de vacinação do departamento de alergia. Resultados: predominaram pacientes do sexo feminino, entre 5-14 anos (34,1 por cento), Dermatophagoide pteronyssinus foi o ácaro com maior sensibilidade e utilização (45,4 por cento), após 3 anos de tratamento, pacientes com melhor controle de seus sintomas (72,7 por cento), não houve eventos adversos (79,5 por cento) nos pacientes, aqueles apresentados foram classificados como sistêmicos locais e / ou leves (20,5 por cento). Conclusões: a imunoterapia sublingual para asma brônquica mostrou-se segura e clinicamente favorável nos pacientes estudados(AU)

The International Study of the Allergic Rhinitis Survey: outcomes from 4 geographical regions

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a global health problem and is characterised by one or more symptoms, including sneezing, itching, nasal congestion and rhinorrhea. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the features of AR and the physician's approach to the management of AR patients in four geographical regions. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire survey concerning AR was completed by Honorary and Corresponding Members of the Italian Society of Rhinology from different countries among 4 world geographical regions—Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa. RESULTS: The prevalence of AR was reported to be 15%–25%. Children and adolescents, as well as young adults, were the age groups more affected by AR with comorbidities of asthma, sinusitis, conjunctivitis, and nasal polyposis. Nasal symptoms of AR were more intense in the spring (51.92%) and autumn (28.85%). The most common aero-allergens were pollen and mites (67.31%), animal dander and pollutants (23.08%), and fungal allergens (21.15%). Allergen-specific immunotherapy was prescribed for both perennial and seasonal allergens (32.69%) via sublingual swallow (46.15%) and subcutaneous (32.69%) routes. For the AR patients, the most prescribed drugs were intranasal corticosteroids (86.54%) and oral H₁-antihistamines (82.69%). CONCLUSION: A network of experts can improve our knowledge concerning AR epidemiology, and together with guidelines, could assist practitioners and otolaryngologists in standardising the diagnosis and treatment of AR.

Allergen-Specific Immunotherapies for Food Allergy

With rising prevalence of food allergy (FA), allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) for FA has become an active area of research in recent years. In AIT, incrementally increasing doses of inciting allergen are given with the goal to increase tolerance, initially through desensitization, which relies on regular exposure to allergen. With prolonged therapy in some subjects, AIT may induce sustained unresponsiveness, in which tolerance is retained after a period of allergen avoidance. Methods of AIT currently under study in humans include oral, sublingual, epicutaneous, and subcutaneous delivery of modified allergenic protein, as well as via DNA-based vaccines encoding allergen with lysosomal-associated membrane protein I. The balance of safety and efficacy varies by type of AIT, as well as by targeted allergen. Age, degree of sensitization, and other comorbidities may affect this balance within an individual patient. More recently, AIT with modified proteins or combined with immunomodulatory therapies has shown promise in making AIT safer and/or more effective. Though methods of AIT are neither currently advised by experts (oral immunotherapy [OIT]) nor widely available, AIT is likely to become a part of recommended management of FA in the coming years. Here, we review and compare methods of AIT currently under study in humans to prepare the practitioner for an exciting new phase in the care of food allergic patients in which improved tolerance to inciting foods will be a real possibility.

The influence of sublingual immunotherapy on quality of life in children with allergic rhinitis / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

To analyze the impact of sublingual immunotherapy(SLIT)on the quality of life in children with allergic rhinitis.Fifty children with allergic rhinitis who have received sublingual immunotherapy were enrolled in this study.Quality of life was evaluated via measurement of VAS score and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire(RQLQ)before and after treatment.Twenty patients after treatment had complete remission,13 cases were partly alleviated and 17 cases had no response.The total effective rate was 66%.The Multi-VAS scores and Uni-VAS scores in each observation time point(at half a year,one year,two years after treatment)had statistically significant difference compared with that of pre-treatment with SLIT(<0.05).According to RQLQ scores,the quality of life,nasal symptoms,conjunctiva symptoms,non-nasal(ocular)symp-toms,behaviors and emotional responses were greatly improved in each time point compared with that of pretreatment(<0.05).Symptomatic treatment scores in each time point after treatment were significantly different and had a positive correlation with the scores of RQLQ(<0.05).SLIT can improve the nasal allergic symptoms,children's life quality and reduce the use of symptomatic treatment medicines.

Effect of sublingual immunotherapy on platelet activity in children with allergic rhinitis / Efeito da imunoterapia sublingual sobre a atividade plaquetária em crianças com rinite alérgica

Abstract Introduction: The role of platelet activation in allergic inflammation is receiving increasing attention. Sublingual immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis can modify the immunological process to an allergen, rather than simply treating symptoms. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the role of platelet activation during sublingual immunotherapy in children with allergic rhinitis. Methods: Forty-two House Dust Mite - sensitized children with allergic rhinitis were enrolled and received House Dust Mite allergen extract for sublingual immunotherapy or placebo. Serum of different time points during treatment was collected and used for detection of Platelet Factor-4 and Beta-Thromboglobulin concentration by Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay. Results: Our data showed decreased expression of Platelet Factor-4 and Beta-Thromboglobulin protein after one year's sublingual immunotherapy. In addition, the decrease of symptom scores and serum Platelet Factor-4 and Beta-Thromboglobulin protein concentrations was positively related. Conclusion: During sublingual immunotherapy, platelet activation was inhibited significantly. Our results might indicate that inhibition of platelet activation within the systemic circulation is an important mechanism during sublingual immunotherapy.

Resumo Introdução: O papel da ativação de plaquetas na inflamação alérgica recebeu atenção crescente. A imunoterapia sublingual para rinite alérgica pode modificar o processo imunológico a um alérgeno, em vez de tratar os sintomas simplesmente. Objetivo: Explorar o papel da ativação plaquetária durante a imunoterapia sublingual em crianças com rinite alérgica. Método: Quarenta e duas crianças com rinite alérgica sensibilizadas por ácaros de poeira domiciliar (APD) foram inscritas e receberam extrato de alérgeno de APD para imunoterapia sublingual ou placebo. O soro de diferentes pontos no tempo durante o tratamento foi recolhido e usado para a detecção de fator 4 plaquetário e concentração de beta-tromboglobulina por ensaio imunoenzimático. Resultados: Nossos dados mostraram diminuição da expressão de fator 4 plaquetário e proteína beta-tromboglobulina após imunoterapia sublingual de um ano. Além disso, a diminuição dos escores de sintomas e o fator 4 plaquetário sérico e concentrações de proteína beta-tromboglobulina foram relacionados de maneira positiva. Conclusão: Durante imunoterapia sublingual, a ativação plaquetária foi inibida significativamente. Os nossos resultados podem indicar que a inibição da ativação de plaquetas dentro da circulação sistêmica é um mecanismo importante durante imunoterapia sublingual.

Sublingual immunotherapy in the treatment of allergic asthma: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Introduction: The guidelines for the management of allergic respiratory diseases oriented towards control from medical treatment combined with measures of environmental hygiene. Immunotherapy is one of several types of treatment, applied in combination with prophylactic drugs and environmental care. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for house dust mites (HDM) in people with allergic asthma. Methods: The study is based on a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials, associating sublingual immunotherapy with the treatment of allergic patients with HDM. Results: The searches were applied in PubMed, ScienceDirect and Scielo databases. Initially, 98 articles were recovered, of which only nine were eligible. Of these, eight (88.9%) were conducted in Europe and only one (11.1%) in Asia. Comparing the outcomes expiratory volume in the first minute (FEV1 ) and sensitivity to allergens (HDM) between SLIT and placebo groups before and after intervention, no differences were observed between the groups. Conclusions: SLIT is not evidenced significantly by meta-analysis for the treatment of allergic asthma (AU)

Allergen-specific intralymphatic immunotherapy in human and animal studies

Clinical trials of intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT) have been performed to overcome the limitations of long-term therapy and the local or systemic hypersensitivity reactions in conventional allergen-specific immunotherapy, including subcutaneous or sublingual immunotherapy. Additionally, several animal studies of ILIT have been conducted in the form of translational or veterinary research. We conducted a literature review to examine the treatment efficacy and adverse effects of ILIT.

Allergic conjunctivitis in Asia

Allergic conjunctivitis (AC), which may be acute or chronic, is associated with rhinitis in 30%–70% of affected individuals, hence the term allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR/C). Seasonal and perennial AC is generally milder than the more chronic and persistent atopic and vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Natural allergens like house dust mites (HDM), temperate and subtropical grass and tree pollen are important triggers that drive allergic inflammation in AC in the Asia-Pacific region. Climate change, environmental tobacco smoke, pollutants derived from fuel combustion, Asian dust storms originating from central/north Asia and phthalates may also exacerbate AR/C. The Allergies in Asia Pacific study and International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood provide epidemiological data on regional differences in AR/C within the region. AC significantly impacts the quality of life of both children and adults, and these can be measured by validated quality of life questionnaires on AR/C. Management guidelines for AC involve a stepped approach depending on the severity of disease, similar to that for allergic rhinitis and asthma. Topical calcineurin inhibitors are effective in certain types of persistent AC, and sublingual immunotherapy is emerging as an effective treatment option in AR/C to grass pollen and HDM. Translational research predominantly from Japan and Korea involving animal models are important for the potential development of targeted pharmacotherapies for AC.

A Pilot Study of Intralymphatic Immunotherapy for House Dust Mite, Cat, and Dog Allergies

Several recent clinical trials reported that intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT) for some allergens, such as cat dander and pollen, induce tolerance more rapidly than conventional subcutaneous or sublingual immunotherapy, have a comparable duration of effect after only 3 injections, and do not provoke serious local or systemic reactions. However, the efficacy and safety of ILIT are using Dermatophagoides farinae (Df), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp), and dog, which are indoor allergens that are commonly found globally, need to be evaluated. Furthermore, use of multiple allergens in ILIT should be investigated. We assessed the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of ILIT using aqueous Df, Dp, dog, and cat allergens or mixtures thereof in patients with allergic rhinitis. A total of 11 subjects with AR sensitized to Df, Dp, cat, and/or dog allergens received 3 intralymphatic inguinal injections of sensitized allergen extract (HollisterStier, New Orleans, LA, USA). Clinical parameters were assessed before ILIT, and 4 months and 1 year after the first injection. Rhinitis symptoms were alleviated and quality of life was improved 4 months after ILIT (P=0.012 and P=0.007, respectively), and these improvements lasted for 1 year after ILIT (P=0.047 and P=0.009, respectively). However, we observed 2 cases of anaphylaxis, one case of a moderate-to-severe systemic hypersensitivity reaction and the other case of a severe local reaction at the injection site after ILIT. In conclusion, ILIT can rapidly improve allergy symptoms and quality of life, and this effect lasts for 1 year. In hypersensitized patients, however, ILIT can provoke severe systemic and/or local hypersensitivity reactions when performed using aqueous allergen extracts.

Efficacy of Sublingual Immunotherapy for House Dust Mite-Induced Allergic Rhinitis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

PURPOSE: Allergic rhinitis (AR) has become a global issue for a large part of the general population. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has been used extensively to treat persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR). Although systematic reviews have confirmed the effectiveness of SLIT for the treatment of AR, a considerable number of studies using extracts of house dust mites (HDMs) for immunotherapy found no consensus on basic treatment parameters and questioned the efficacy of SLIT. METHODS: In this study, we evaluated SLIT for PAR by a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library database searches were performed for RCTs on the treatment of PAR by SLIT that assessed clinical outcomes related to efficacy through May 2016. Descriptive and quantitative information was abstracted. An analysis was performed with standardized mean differences (SMDs) under a fixed or random effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 metric. RESULTS: In total, 25 studies were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis for symptom scores and 15 studies for medication scores. SLIT was significantly different from the controls for symptom scores (SMD=1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.74 to 0.73; P<0.001). For medication scores, significant differences for SLIT were also observed versus the controls (SMD=-1.39; 95% CI=-1.90 to -0.88; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis indicates that SLIT provided significant symptom relief and reduced the need for medications in PAR. In this study, significant evidence was obtained despite heterogeneity with regard to the use of mite extract. Specifically, the mite extract used was provided by the patients with PAR. Furthermore, to confirm both the objective outcomes and the effective doses of HDM allergen extracts, experimental data should be obtained from large high-quality population-based studies.

Effectiveness of Specific Sublingual Immunotherapy in Korean Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

BACKGROUND: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with house dust mites (HDM) preparation has recently been proven to be beneficial for treating allergic rhinitis and asthma. However, there has been no report regarding the efficacy and safety of SLIT in Korean patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVE: We intended to investigate the efficacy and safety of SLIT in Korean patients with AD. METHODS: A total of 34 patients with AD and immunoglobulin E (IgE)-proven HDM sensitization (Class ≥3) were recruited. Eczema area and severity index (EASI) score, total serum IgE level, specific IgE assays to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. farinae, and adverse effects were recorded during follow-up. "Responder" was defined as a patient with ≥30% improvement in EASI score after SLIT. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients continued SLIT for 12 months or more, whereas 3 patients (8.8%) dropped out because of exacerbation of dermatitis, and 8 patients (23.5%) were lost to follow-up. The average duration of SLIT treatment was 22.4 months (range, 12~32 months). EASI scores reduced significantly after 6 months of treatment (p<0.05) compared with those at baseline. A total of 18 patients were determined to be responders to SLIT after 6 months. Total and specific IgE serum levels did not significantly reduce after SLIT. No patients experienced serious adverse events, with the exception of two patients who developed transient lip and tongue swelling. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that SLIT with HDM extracts is effective and tolerable in Korean patients with AD. Further controlled long-term trials are required to reinforce the current results.