title: Serum IL-4 as a marker of immunological response to sublingual immunotherapy.
abstract: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by a Th2 polarized immune response. Specific Immunotherapy modifies this bias restoring a physiologic Th1 profile. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is widely prescribed, but there is no early, simple marker of response. This study was undertaken in order to determine whether serum IL-4 might be a possible marker of SLIT immunological response in order to quickly and easily detect responder patients. Thirty-nine AR patients with a pollen allergy assumed preseasonal SLIT for 3 months. VAS for symptoms and medication efficacy were evaluated. Serum IL-4 was assessed before and 3 and 6 months after SLIT initiation. Eighty-two percent of patients (32/39) showed a clinical response to SLIT. Serum IL-4 significantly decreased at 6 months post-therapy in responders, whereas it increased in non-responders. In conclusion, these results may be considered clinically relevant proof that SLIT treatment induces a quick reduction in Th2 polarization. Serum IL-4 appears to be an early marker of immunological response to SLIT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, Genoa University, Genoa, Italy. gio.cip@libero.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciprandi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Amici
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Murdaca
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Quaglini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marseglia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Gioacchino
mesh_terms: D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015847:Interleukin-4