Ulrich Wahn1. 1. Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Immunology, CHARITE Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany. ulrich.wahn@charite.de
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Specific allergen immunotherapy although being performed for almost 100 years, is still being addressed in clinical trials. In children the sublingual allergen application has gained considerable interest. RECENT FINDINGS: Controlled long-term trials suggest that specific allergen immunotherapy has the capacity to modify the natural history of allergic airway disease by reducing the incidence of new sensitivities non-specifically, reducing allergic symptoms years after discontinuation and preventing the incidence of asthma. The current evidence on sublingual immunotherapy is not sufficient to recommend this mode of treatment in clinical practice yet. SUMMARY: Specific allergen immunotherapy should be considered in children in whom IgE-mediated allergic symptoms cannot be adequately controlled by symptomatic treatment.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Specific allergen immunotherapy although being performed for almost 100 years, is still being addressed in clinical trials. In children the sublingual allergen application has gained considerable interest. RECENT FINDINGS: Controlled long-term trials suggest that specific allergen immunotherapy has the capacity to modify the natural history of allergic airway disease by reducing the incidence of new sensitivities non-specifically, reducing allergic symptoms years after discontinuation and preventing the incidence of asthma. The current evidence on sublingual immunotherapy is not sufficient to recommend this mode of treatment in clinical practice yet. SUMMARY: Specific allergen immunotherapy should be considered in children in whom IgE-mediated allergic symptoms cannot be adequately controlled by symptomatic treatment.
Authors: Eric Leith; Tom Bowen; Joe Butchey; David Fischer; Harold Kim; Bill Moote; Peter Small; Don Stark; Susan Waserman Journal: Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol Date: 2006-06-15 Impact factor: 3.406