Allergy Section, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
Allergy Research Group, Institut de Recerca Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Allergy. 2017 Jan;72(1):35-42. doi: 10.1111/all.12989. Epub 2016 Aug 15.
Allergic rhinitis and asthma constitute two clinical expressions of a single-condition, respiratory allergy. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is a form of treatment specifically aimed at modifying the response to sensitizing allergens. The inherent potential benefit of AIT is the simultaneous treatment of all clinical expressions of respiratory allergy. Current data support the effectiveness of subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy in rhinitis. Studies also provide proof for a beneficial effect in allergic asthma. Even more, substantial evidence points to the preventive effect on the progression from rhinitis to asthma. Despite the current knowledge on the basic mechanisms underlying the immunological effect of AIT is vast, the specific mechanisms for the preventive effect of primary sensitization or new sensitizations are poorly understood. This review aimed to provide a critical overview of the current knowledge on the effectiveness of AIT and its potential role in secondary prevention of respiratory allergy progression.
变应性鼻炎和哮喘构成了单一疾病——呼吸道过敏的两种临床表型。变应原免疫治疗（AIT）是一种专门针对改变致敏变应原反应的治疗形式。AIT 的固有潜在益处是同时治疗呼吸道过敏的所有临床表型。现有数据支持皮下和舌下免疫治疗在鼻炎中的有效性。研究还为过敏性哮喘的有益效果提供了证据。更重要的是，大量证据表明其对从鼻炎向哮喘进展的预防作用。尽管目前对 AIT 免疫作用的基础机制有广泛的了解，但对初级致敏或新致敏的预防作用的具体机制了解甚少。这篇综述旨在批判性地概述 AIT 的有效性及其在呼吸道过敏进展的二级预防中的潜在作用的现有知识。
