Prophylactic allergen vaccination: current and future perspectives.

Allergen specific immunotherapy has traditionally been viewed as a treatment for established atopic disease. The disease target of choice has principally been allergic rhinitis, and in contrast there has been widespread reluctance in sectors of the clinical community to extend this approach to treatment of atopic asthma. However as understanding of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms which drive asthma aetiology and pathogenesis increases, the rationales for considering immunotherapy in this treatment context are expanding, particularly in relation to primary and secondary prevention of asthma in childhood. This brief review highlights recent development relating to this issue.