Long-term efficacy of allergen immunotherapy: what do we expect?

Immunotherapy. 2013 Feb;5(2):131-3. doi: 10.2217/imt.12.154.

Abstract

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) is the only treatment of allergic diseases able to maintain its efficacy after discontinuation of treatment. The available literature suggests that a 3-year duration of treatment maintains the efficacy on allergic symptoms for at least an equivalent period of time. The current paper compares the 3- and 5-year duration in children with dust mite-induced asthma, and confirms that 3 years of SIT maintains its effectiveness for a further 3 years after stopping, with no significant difference compared with 5 years. Thus, 3 years is likely to be an adequate duration of SIT; however, studies with more prolonged follow-up periods are needed to investigate the persistence of the clinical benefit over time.

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / administration & dosage*
  • Allergens / immunology
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides / administration & dosage*
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides / immunology
  • Asthma / diagnosis
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Asthma / therapy*
  • Child
  • Dermatophagoides farinae / immunology
  • Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus / immunology
  • Desensitization, Immunologic / methods*
  • Dust
  • Humans
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides
  • Dust