Sublingual immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis: where are we now?
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) was introduced in the 1980s as a safer option to subcutaneous immunotherapy and in the latest decade achieved significant advances. Its efficacy in allergic rhinitis is supported by a number of meta-analyses. The development of SLIT preparations in tablets to fulfill the requirements of regulatory agencies for quality of allergen extracts made available optimal products for grass-pollen-induced allergic rhinitis. Preparations of other allergens based on the same production methods are currently in progress. A notable outcome of SLIT, that is shared with subcutaneous immunotherapy, is the evident cost-effectiveness, showing significant cost savings as early as 3 months from starting the treatment, that become as high as 80% compared with drug treatment in the ensuing years.
Allergy/Pulmonary Rehabilitation, ICP Hospital, via Bignami 1, 20100 Milan, Italy.
Cristoforo
C
Incorvaia
Allergy Unit, Sant'Anna Hospital, Como, Italy.
Marina
M
Mauro
Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
Erminia
E
Ridolo
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D063729:Sublingual Immunotherapy / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D013607:Tablets
D000485:Allergens; D013607:Tablets
allergen immunotherapy; allergic rhinitis; cost–effectiveness; efficacy; quality of allergen extracts; safety; sublingual immunotherapy