Fast up-dosing with a birch allergoid is safe and well tolerated in allergic rhinitis patients with or without asthma. (16th January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zielen, Stefan; Plückhahn, Kirsten; Akboga, Yasemin; Rieker-Schwienbacher, Juliane; Thieme, Uta; Rosewich, Martin
• Is Part Of: Immunotherapy. Volume 11:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 177
• Page End: 187
• Publication Date: 2019-01-16
• Subjects: accelerated dose escalation -- allergen immunotherapy -- allergic rhinitis -- allergoid -- safety -- tolerability; Immunotherapy -- Periodicals; 615.37
• DOI: 10.2217/imt-2018-0143
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-743X

Abstract

Aim: Subcutaneous immunotherapy is effective in treating allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma, but is still inconvenient when heavy schedules are used. A faster dose escalation is desirable.Materials & methods: In this open-label, Phase II trial, 130 adults were randomized 1:1 to receive a birch pollen allergoid subcutaneous immunotherapy. Group I with four weekly injections and Group II with seven weekly injections. Safety, tolerability and immunogenicity were assessed.Results: Mild-to-moderate treatment-related adverse events were reported for 57.7% of the patients (Group I: 36, Group II: 39). Tolerability was assessed by physicians and rated as 'good' or 'very good' for 55 patients in Group I (87.3%) and for 63 patients in Group II (94.0%). Levels of IgG and IgG4 increased before and after treatment significantly (p < 0.0001) in both groups.Conclusion: Standard versus fast dose escalation is comparable in terms of safety and tolerability.