The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume 123, Issue 4 , Pages 763-769, April 2009

Multiallergen immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis and asthma

  • Harold S. Nelson, MD

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Harold S. Nelson, MD, National Jewish Health, 1400 Jackson St, Denver, CO 80206.

Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colo

Received 24 September 2008; received in revised form 26 November 2008; accepted 15 December 2008. published online 17 February 2009.

The English and non–English language literature on allergen immunotherapy was reviewed for studies simultaneously using 2 or more distinct allergen extracts in either subcutaneous or sublingual immunotherapy. Thirteen studies were identified, 11 using subcutaneous injections, 1 using sublingual administration, and 1 using both. In studies with adequate information, administration of 2 extracts by means of either subcutaneous immunotherapy or sublingual immunotherapy was effective. In studies using multiple allergens, 3 studies showed clear efficacy, whereas in the other 2 studies, lack of efficacy might have been due to inadequate doses of extract or omission of clinically relevant allergens in the treatment regimen. It is concluded that simultaneous administration of more than 1 allergen extract is clinically effective. However, more studies are needed, particularly with more than 2 allergen extracts and with sublingual administration.

Key words: Allergen extracts, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, multiallergen, polysensitization, subcutaneous immunotherapy, sublingual immunotherapy

Abbreviations used: SCIT, Subcutaneous immunotherapy, SLIT, Sublingual immunotherapy

 

 Editorial support was funded by Greer Laboratories, Inc.

 Disclosure of potential conflict of interest: H. S. Nelson is a principal investigator on research protocols for Schering-Plough, Boehringer-Ingelheim, TEVA, Novartis, Critical Therapeutics, AstraZeneca, Wyeth, Sepracor, Altana, and Genentech and has provided consultation to Genentech/Novartis, Curalogic, GlaxoSmithKline, Schering-Plough, Astellas, Ception, Boehringer-Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, Dey Laboratories, Dynavax Technologies, Abbott Laboratories, MediciNova, Johnson & Johnson, VentiRx, and Dyson.

PII: S0091-6749(08)02377-4

doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2008.12.013

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume 123, Issue 4 , Pages 763-769, April 2009