title: Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy for Respiratory Allergy in Children: Unmet Needs and Future Goals.
abstract: Allergen-specific immunotherapy for the treatment of respiratory allergy is currently supported, at least for selected products, by evidence of efficacy and effectiveness in the pediatric age. However, unmet needs remain in terms of administration regimens, duration of treatment, biomarkers, and preventive effects. These knowledge gaps need to be urgently addressed to provide pediatricians and pediatric allergists with more definite recommendations for the use of this treatment in children. This article critically appraises the most relevant debated issues on allergen-specific immunotherapy in children, focusing on allergen standardization procedures, heterogeneity of clinical studies, and regulatory and pharmacoeconomic aspects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, Pediatric Clinic, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Comberiati
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Foundation IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Gian Luigi
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Marseglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barberi
authors.affiliation: Allergy and Respiratory Diseases, IRCCS San Martino-IST, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Passalacqua
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pediatric, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: diego.peroni@unipi.it.
authors.forename: Diego G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Peroni
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens
keywords: Allergen-specific immunotherapy; Allergic rhinitis; Allergy; Asthma; Children; Subcutaneous immunotherapy; Sublingual immunotherapy