title: Is sublingual immunotherapy the final answer? Implications for the allergist.
abstract: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is now accepted as a viable alternative to the traditional injection route based on more than 40 clinical trials and several meta-analyses of efficacy. In addition, the safety profile is very favorable, also in younger children. Although some aspects need to be further clarified (eg, optimal doses, patient selection, and mechanisms of action), SLIT can be currently regarded as an additional therapeutic option that allergists have available. The main distinctive feature of SLIT is certainly its tolerability, safety, and convenience for the patient. Nonetheless, as happens with injection immunotherapy, it is mandatory that the prescription of SLIT is made by a trained specialist, and that a detailed diagnosis is made before prescribing it.
authors.affiliation: From the Allergy and Respiratory Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy. This work has been partially supported by the Associazione Ricerca Malattie Immunologiche e Allergiche.
authors.forename: Giorgio Walter
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Canonica
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Passalacqua