Efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To review the available published data concerning the use of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in respiratory allergy to primarily evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the treatment and to secondarily consider the mechanisms of action and any unresolved questions.


METHODS
Articles in the medical literature (starting from 1986 up to November 2003) derived from searching the MEDLINE database with the keywords sublingual immunotherapy, respiratory allergy, asthma, and rhinitis. Sources included review articles, randomized controlled clinical trials, postmarketing surveillance studies, and relevant reports from meeting proceedings.


METHODS
Articles concerning safety, efficacy, and mechanisms of SLIT published in English-language, peer-reviewed journals.


RESULTS
SLIT proved effective and safe in adults and children. As with traditional subcutaneous immunotherapy, SLIT has long-lasting efficacy and a preventive effect on new sensitizations.


CONCLUSIONS
SLIT is a viable alternative to subcutaneous immunotherapy. Its use in pediatric patients seems to be particularly promising.
Passalacqua
Giovanni
G
Allergy and Respiratory Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. passalacqua@unige.it
Guerra
Laura
L
Pasquali
Mercedes
M
Lombardi
Carlo
C
Canonica
Giorgio Walter
GW
D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D001249:Asthma / Q000628:therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000628:therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000628:therapy