Additional benefit of a third year of specific grass pollen allergoid immunotherapy in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND

Aluminium-adsorbed six grass pollen allergoid therapy for 2 years was found to be efficacious and safe in patients with hay fever and seasonal asthma. Using high-dose, hypoallergenic allergen products (allergoids) enables a short-term pre-seasonal treatment regimen. However, it is not known whether further treatment beyond 2 yrs had any additional benefit.

METHODS

Following an initial 2-year randomized, double-blind, multi-centre, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 154 grass pollen-allergic patients, an additional short course of specific immunotherapy with the high-dose, hypoallergenic grass pollen preparation Allergovit was performed in 61 patients of the active treatment group during the 3rd open-label treatment year.

RESULTS

Further treatment of patients with the Allergovit 6-grass pollen preparation resulted in a further reduction of symptom medication score and improved quality of life in comparison to the first and second treatment year. Changes in allergen-specific IgG4 levels supported these results.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-seasonal short-term immunotherapy with the high-dose, hypoallergenic allergen preparation Allergovit has been shown to be efficacious and safe. A course of three years of 6-grass pollen SIT further improves allergic symptoms, quality of life and reduces the need for anti-allergic medication.