A comparison of immunotherapy delivery methods for allergen immunotherapy. (May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Klimek, Ludger; Pfaar, Oliver
• Is Part Of: Expert review of clinical immunology. Volume 9:Number 5(2013)
• Page Start: 465
• Page End: 475
• Publication Date: 2013-05
• Subjects: adjuvants -- allergen-specific immunotherapy -- CpG-motifs -- epicutaneous immunotherapy -- intralymphatic immunotherapy -- subcutaneous immunotherapy -- sublingual immunotherapy -- virus-like-particles; Clinical immunology -- Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1586/eci.13.25
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-666X

Abstract

Background: Allergic diseases are among the most common diseases in humans. Besides allergen avoidance, allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only causative treatment option. During recent years, many innovations of this therapy have emerged.Methods: Selective literature research in Medline and PubMed, under the inclusion of national and international guidelines and Cochrane meta analyses.Results: In several meta-analyses, the clinical efficacy of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) has been largely demonstrated. Recently, major research activities in mucosal immunotherapies focused on the sublingual application route. There are well-documented clinical data on the efficacy and safety of this form of immunotherapy. New application routes as well as new immune-modifying agents such as virus-like particles or CpG-motifs have also been investigated.Conclusion: SIT is accepted to be the only causative treatment option for allergies. New application routes and new immune-modifying agents will allow for different delivery methods in the future.