title: Additional benefit of a third year of specific grass pollen allergoid immunotherapy in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aluminium-adsorbed six grass pollen allergoid therapy for 2 years was found to be efficacious and safe in patients with hay fever and seasonal asthma. Using high-dose, hypoallergenic allergen products (allergoids) enables a short-term pre-seasonal treatment regimen. However, it is not known whether further treatment beyond 2 yrs had any additional benefit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following an initial 2-year randomized, double-blind, multi-centre, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 154 grass pollen-allergic patients, an additional short course of specific immunotherapy with the high-dose, hypoallergenic grass pollen preparation Allergovit was performed in 61 patients of the active treatment group during the 3rd open-label treatment year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Further treatment of patients with the Allergovit 6-grass pollen preparation resulted in a further reduction of symptom medication score and improved quality of life in comparison to the first and second treatment year. Changes in allergen-specific IgG4 levels supported these results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pre-seasonal short-term immunotherapy with the high-dose, hypoallergenic allergen preparation Allergovit has been shown to be efficacious and safe. A course of three years of 6-grass pollen SIT further improves allergic symptoms, quality of life and reduces the need for anti-allergic medication.
authors.affiliation: Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Homerton Row, London, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Henzgen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rajakulasingam
mesh_terms: D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification; D006109:Poaceae / Q000276:immunology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G