1. Double-blind, placebo-controlled immunotherapy with mixed grass-pollen allergoids. IV. Comparison of the safety and efficacy of two dosages of a high-molecular-weight allergoid.
- Author
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Bousquet J, Hejjaoui A, Soussana M, and Michel FB
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Allergens adverse effects, Child, Clinical Trials as Topic, Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic, Double-Blind Method, Humans, Immunoglobulin G analysis, Immunotherapy adverse effects, Male, Molecular Weight, Nasal Provocation Tests, Placebos, Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal immunology, Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal therapy, Skin Tests, Allergens administration & dosage, Immunotherapy methods, Pollen immunology
- Abstract
Specific immunotherapy is still widely used in grass-pollen allergy, but its side effects may limit its use. We tested the safety and efficacy of a formalinized high-molecular-weight allergoid prepared from a mixed grass-pollen extract with two injection schedules in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Eighteen patients received placebo, 19 received the low-dose schedule (maximal dose: 2000 PNU) and 20 received the high-dose schedule (maximal dose: 10,000 PNU). Only one patient presented a systemic reaction of moderate severity for a dose of 1200 PNU. Before the onset of the pollen season, patients had a nasal challenge with orchard grass-pollen grains, a skin test titration, and the titration of serum-specific IgG. Both groups of patients presented a significant reduction in nasal and skin sensitivities and a significant increase in IgG compared to placebo. Symptoms and medications for rhinitis and asthma were studied during the season, and both groups receiving allergoids had a significant reduction of symptom-medication scores for nasal and bronchial symptoms. There was a highly significant correlation between nasal symptom-medication scores during the season and the results of nasal challenges. High-molecular-weight allergoids are safe and effective.
- Published
- 1990
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