title: Sustained effects of grass pollen AIT.
abstract: We report the sustained efficacy of the SQ-standardized grass allergy immunotherapy tablet Grazax® (Phleum pratense 75000 SQ-T/2,800 BAU, ALK, Denmark) from a 5-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial. Adults with moderate-to-severe grass pollen allergy inadequately controlled by symptomatic medications were followed for 2 years after the completion of 3 years of treatment. The active group demonstrated a 31% reduction in median rhinoconjunctivitis symptom score over the season compared with placebo. Individual symptom scores favoured active treatment. Combined symptom and medication scores demonstrated a 33% reduction in medians with active treatment. Persistent clinical efficacy was accompanied by prolonged increases in allergen-specific IgG(4) antibodies and IgE-blocking factor, confirming clinical and immunological tolerance for at least 2 years after the treatment completion. No safety issues were identified during follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Section of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Imperial College School of Medicine, National Heart & Lung Institute, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK. s.durham@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Durham
mesh_terms: D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008875:Middle Aged; D006109:Poaceae / Q000276:immunology*; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens