title: Update on allergy immunotherapy: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology/European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology/PRACTALL consensus report.
abstract: Allergy immunotherapy (AIT) is an effective treatment for allergic asthma and rhinitis, as well as venom-induced anaphylaxis. In addition to reducing symptoms, AIT can change the course of allergic disease and induce allergen-specific immune tolerance. In current clinical practice immunotherapy is delivered either subcutaneously or sublingually; some allergens, such as grass pollen, can be delivered through either route, whereas others, such as venoms, are only delivered subcutaneously. Both subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy appear to have a duration of efficacy of up to 12 years, and both can prevent the development of asthma and new allergen sensitivities. In spite of the advances with AIT, safer and more effective AIT strategies are needed, especially for patients with asthma, atopic dermatitis, or food allergy. Novel approaches to improve AIT include use of adjuvants or recombinant allergens and alternate routes of administration. As part of the PRACTALL initiatives, the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology nominated an expert team to develop a comprehensive consensus report on the mechanisms of AIT and its use in clinical practice, as well as unmet needs and ongoing developments in AIT. This resulting report is endorsed by both academies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7220, USA. wburks@email.unc.edu
authors.forename: A Wesley
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Burks
authors.forename: Moises A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Calderon
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Casale
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Demoly
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jutel
authors.forename: Harold
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Cezmi A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Akdis
mesh_terms: D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000639:trends*; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014481:United States