Latex immunotherapy: state of the art.
OBJECTIVE
Latex allergy remains a significant problem, especially among certain professional categories, and specific immunotherapy has been suggested as a suitable therapeutic option. The objective of the this article is to review the available literature on clinical trials of specific immunotherapy in latex allergy.


METHODS
Literature databases (PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar) were searched for latex immunotherapy clinical trials.


METHODS
Clinical trials (either open or randomized controlled) using subcutaneous or sublingual immunotherapy with latex extracts were selected. Only articles published in English in peer-reviewed journals were considered. Case reports quoted in the clinical trials were also described, when pertinent.


RESULTS
Eleven clinical trials (3 with subcutaneous and 8 with sublingual immunotherapy) were identified. Two of the 3 randomized trials of subcutaneous immunotherapy reported some benefit in adults but a remarkable occurrence of side effects. Concerning sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), there were 6 randomized placebo-controlled (1 in children), 1 randomized open, and 1 open trials. All but 1 trial reported positive results, and the safety profile was overall superior to injection immunotherapy. The overall quality of the study was moderate, and the number of subjects studied was low.


CONCLUSIONS
Although guidelines do not consider allergy to latex as an accepted indication to desensitization, SLIT can be offered, in addition to symptomatic treatment, to selected patients, when avoidance measures are not feasible or effective.
Section of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University of Bari, Italy.
Eustachio
E
Nettis
Pantalea
P
Delle Donne
Elisabetta
E
Di Leo
Paola
P
Fantini
Giovanni
G
Passalacqua
Roberto
R
Bernardini
Giorgio Walter
GW
Canonica
Antonio
A
Ferrannini
Angelo
A
Vacca
D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007840:Latex / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D007840:Latex