UPDATE ON ALLERGEN-SPECIFIC IMMUNOTHERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ASTHMA
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Abstract
Asthma is a common chronic inammatory airway disease in both children and adults, with a signicant proportion linked to allergic mechanisms. Among current treatment options, Allergen Immunotherapy (AIT) is the only method capable of modifying the natural course of allergic diseases, including asthma.
AIT works by introducing gradually increasing doses of specic allergens into the patient’s body, thereby helping to restore immune tolerance and reduce IgE-mediated allergic inammation. There are two common routes of AIT administration: subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). Numerous clinical trials and systematic reviews have demonstrated that AIT is eective in alleviating respiratory symptoms, improving lung function, reducing the need for controller medications, and preventing severe disease progression. Moreover, the benets of AIT can persist for years after completing the treatment course.
AIT plays a particularly important role in the management of mild to moderate persistent allergic asthma that is inadequately controlled with standard medications, especially in patients with documented sensitization to specic allergens (e.g., house dust mites, pollens). The selection of allergens, assessment of indications and contraindications, and close monitoring throughout the treatment process are critical factors determining the success of AIT. Nowadays, AIT is gaining increasing attention as part of personalized asthma treatment strategies, especially when combined with biologic therapies, aiming to optimize treatment outcomes and improve patients’ quality of life.
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Keywords
Asthma, allergy, immunotherapy, SCIT, SLIT
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