Hyposensitization therapy.

Hyposensitization therapy is useful in the treatment of allergic disease causing rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma, and in the prophylaxis against anaphylaxis to hymenoptera stings. It may be of value in some patients with drug sensitivities. Its effectiveness has been proven by objective clinical studies, and the immune mechanisms responsible for patients' response have been demonstrated in vivo and in vitro. A prerequisite for effectiveness is the identification of the offending antigen and the availability of that antigen in a standardized, purified, stable extract. Modified antigens with special immunologic properties show much promise for the future.