Recent Advances in Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy as Treatment for Allergic Asthma: A Practical Overview

Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2021;182(6):496-514. doi: 10.1159/000513811. Epub 2021 Feb 25.

Abstract

The Global Initiative for Asthma Report updated in 2019 stated that potential benefits of allergen immunotherapy (AIT), compared to pharmacological and avoidance options, must be weighed against the risk of adverse effects and the inconvenience and cost of the prolonged course of therapy in asthma. Thus, with the aim of clarifying some aspects with regard to the possible use of AIT in allergic asthma treatment armamentarium, a group of expert allergists from the Spanish Allergy and Clinical Immunology Scientific Society (SEAIC), particularly from the Immunotherapy and Asthma Interest Groups developed a frequently asked questions in clinical practice. This document updates relevant topics on the use of AIT in asthma and could facilitate physician clinical decisions and improve health outcomes for individual patients.

Keywords: Allergy; Asthma; Clinical practice; Immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Allergens / immunology*
  • Antibody Specificity / immunology
  • Asthma / diagnosis
  • Asthma / immunology*
  • Asthma / therapy*
  • Biomarkers
  • Clinical Decision-Making
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Desensitization, Immunologic* / adverse effects
  • Desensitization, Immunologic* / methods
  • Disease Management
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
  • Prognosis
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Biomarkers
  • Immunoglobulin E