Tree-pollen allergy is efficiently treated by short-term immunotherapy (STI) with seven preseasonal injections of molecular standardized allergens.
The efficacy and tolerance of short-term immunotherapy (STI) by seven preseasonal injections of tree-pollen allergens (ALK7 Frühblühermischung) was investigated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study with 111 rhinoconjunctivitis patients. Nasal and bronchial symptoms simultaneously analyzed, and nasal symptoms as a single end point, but not the overall score of nasal, bronchial, and conjunctival symptoms, showed a significantly lower increase with STI during birch-pollen exposure (both P=0.033, n=105, Mann-Whitney U-test). However, a selective analysis with patients from centers with high recruitment figures (n> or =10 patients, n=29 STI, n=32 placebo) showed a significantly lower increase of nasal, bronchial, and overall symptom score (STI 11.0 vs placebo 18.0, P=0.001, U-test). STI had equidirected effects on conjunctival, nasal, and bronchial symptoms analyzed as multiple end points, although conjunctival symptoms were not significantly different as a single end point. The seasonal increase in drug use was reduced by 62% in the STI group compared with placebo (P=0.032, t-test). Specific IgG4 increased only after STI (P<0.001); IgE was not significantly different. Eosinophil cationic protein remained unchanged with STI, but significantly increased with placebo in the pollen season (P=0.003). STI was well tolerated. In conclusion, STI was shown to be efficacious and safe for the treatment of patients with tree-pollen rhinoconjunctivitis.
Klinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Zentralklinikum Augsburg, Germany.
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Balda
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Wolf
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Baumgarten
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Klimek
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Rasp
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Kunkel
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Müller
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Mann
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Hauswald
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Heppt
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Przybilla
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Amon
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Bischoff
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Becher
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Hummel
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Frosch
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Rustemeyer
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Jäger
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Brehler
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Luger
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Schnitker
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000628:therapy*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000628:therapy*; D012260:Ribonucleases; D012882:Skin Tests; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014197:Trees / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D001798:Blood Proteins; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D012260:Ribonucleases