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JACI Highlights - April 2006
Durham et al – Sublingual immunotherapy with once-daily grass-allergen tablets: A randomized controlled trial in seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis
Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis represents a global health problem. A recent survey in six Western European countries revealed an average prevalence of 23%. Allergy to grass pollen is one of the most common inhalant allergies leading to impaired quality of life and increased expenditures in the healthcare system. The current recommended treatment for allergic rhinitis is the use of topical nasal corticosteroids and antihistamines. However, these measures have been shown to be only partially effective. In patients who fail to respond to these measures, specific immunotherapy is another treatment option. Specific immunotherapy is the only treatment modality that has the potential to alter the natural course of allergic diseases. In the April 2006 issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Durham et al investigate the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy with sublingual grass-allergen tablets in seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. The study found a dose-related response with a reduction in rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms. Quality of life was also significantly improved as well as the number of well days after treatment with the tablets. This study provides proof of concept for the use of sublingual immunotherapy with grass-allergen tablets in seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. The grass-allergen tablets should help to make immunotherapy available to a broad range of patients. Specific immunotherapy has been shown to induce long term remission and to decrease of prevent the development of more severe manifestations of allergic disease.
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