Immunothérapie spécifique : des nouveautés: Specific immunotherapy: the latest in new treatments

Abstract: It has been estimated that one person in five has a respiratory allergy. It has likewise been estimated that 45 million Europeans will become allergic to grass pollen. Sponsored by the WHO, ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma) proposed guidelines for the treatment of allergic rhinitis in which specific immunotherapy (SIT) occupies a central place because it is the only therapy capable of modifying the immune status of the allergic individual. The efficacy of SIT is fully supported by results of clinical studies reviewed in several meta-analyses, covering both injection and sublingual administration. In recent years, sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has been shown to be efficacious and well-tolerated, with more than 500 million doses having been administered to date without undesirable systemic side effects where the rules of good clinical practice have been followed. This form of immunotherapy is now available in the form of rapidly-dissolving sublingual tablets. This review will analyze clinical studies dealing with this new form of immunotherapy, its efficacy, tolerance and cost/efficacy ratio. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]