title: Induction of allergen-specific tolerance via mucosal routes.
abstract: Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only curative treatment of allergies against insect venom, house dust mites, tree/grass pollens, or cat dander. Subcutaneous immunotherapy is successful to reorient the immune system and re-establish long-term tolerance. However, major drawbacks for using this route include: repeated injections, as well as the risk of anaphylaxis. In this context, alternative mucosal routes of administration are being considered together with the combined use of adjuvants/vector systems and recombinant allergens or peptide fragments. Herein, we review the current status in the use of mucosal routes (i.e., sublingual, oral, intranasal) for allergen-specific immunotherapy, as well as the latest understanding with respect to underlying mechanisms of action.
authors.affiliation: Research and Development, Stallergènes, 6 rue Alexis de Tocqueville, 92160 Antony, France. lmascarell@stallergenes.fr
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mascarell
authors.forename: Aline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zimmer
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Van Overtvelt
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tourdot
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moingeon
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology*