Allergic diseases can notably affect a patient's quality of life. World Health Organization (WHO) has identified these diseases as one of the key areas for research and prevention in the 21st century. Currently, allergen-specific immunotherapy is viewed as a potential treatment approach that could modify the natural progression of allergic diseases, thus being recognized as a crucial tactic in their prevention and treatment. Nonetheless, the broad implementation of allergen-specific immunotherapy in clinical settings continues to confront challenges. One significant issue is the absence of standardized centers for subcutaneous allergen-specific immunotherapy. This article presents several perspectives and recommendations for establishing a standardized subcutaneous allergen-specific immunotherapy center.
Humans ; Allergens/therapeutic use* ; Quality of Life ; Immunotherapy ; World Health Organization

Allergic diseases can notably affect a patient's quality of life. World Health Organization (WHO) has identified these diseases as one of the key areas for research and prevention in the 21st century. Currently, allergen-specific immunotherapy is viewed as a potential treatment approach that could modify the natural progression of allergic diseases, thus being recognized as a crucial tactic in their prevention and treatment. Nonetheless, the broad implementation of allergen-specific immunotherapy in clinical settings continues to confront challenges. One significant issue is the absence of standardized centers for subcutaneous allergen-specific immunotherapy. This article presents several perspectives and recommendations for establishing a standardized subcutaneous allergen-specific immunotherapy center.
Humans ; Allergens/therapeutic use* ; Quality of Life ; Immunotherapy ; World Health Organization

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of allergen blocking nasal spray (ABNS) , combined with seawater spray (SS) and myrtol standardized capsules (MSS), in patients with rhinitis sicca. METHOD: Patients diagnosed as rhinitis sicca were randomly divided into 2 groups: ABNS+SS group and SS group. In ABNS+SS group, patients used ABNS and SS four times per day and MSS twice per day. In SS group, patients used the same medicine except ABNS. Both group were observed for 14 days. The visual analog scale (VAS) of dryness, the endoscopy evaluation score (EES) and the tolerability of the spray were compared between the 2 groups. RESULT: There were 30 patients included in each group. The VAS and EES were improved in both groups after 2 weeks' treatment. The improvement of VAS and EES in ABNS+SS group was significantly superior to SS group (VAS: P < 0.01, EES: P < 0.05). There were only 2 patients complaint of slight discomfort when using ABNS, which did not disturb the treatment. CONCLUSION There is good efficacy of allergen blocking nasal spray (ABNS), combined with seawater spray (SS) and myrtol standardized capsules (MSS), in patients with rhinitis sicca.
Allergens ; Chronic Disease ; Drug Combinations ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Monoterpenes ; therapeutic use ; Nasal Sprays ; Rhinitis ; drug therapy ; Sodium Chloride

Allergic rhinitis (AR) clinically expressed by sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal itching and congestion is an allergen-driven mucosal inflammatory disease which is modulated by immunoglobulin E. Epidemiological studies have indicated that prevalence of AR continues to increase, and it has been a worldwide health problem that places a significant healthcare burden on individuals and society. Given the evolving understanding of the process by which an allergen is recognized and the roles of mediators which account for AR progress, the pathogenesis of AR has become clearer. Current studies have demonstrated local allergic rhinitis (LAR) that patients with both sug- gestive symptoms of AR and a negative diagnostic test for atopy may have local allergic inflammation is a prevalent entity in patients evaluated with rhinitis, but further research remains needed. Management of AR includes aller- gen avoidance, pharmacological treatment and allergen-specific immunotherapy. Recently montelukast has exhibited previously undocumented anti-inflammatory properties, leukotriene receptor antagonists therefore may serve a more important role in the treatment of AR. Not only has immunotherapy proved its efficacy, but also been able to alter disease course and thereby mitigate progression to asthma. Thus immunotherapy can be initiated while receiving pharmacotherapy, especially in children with AR. As clinical guidelines, the ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma) provides basic principles of effective treatment of AR. Besides, choosing an appropriate treatment strategy should be based on the severity and chronicity of patient's symptom. The aim of this review was to provide an update mainly on the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and management of AR.
Acetates ; therapeutic use ; Allergens ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; therapeutic use ; Asthma ; prevention & control ; Child ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity, Immediate ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Immunoglobulin E ; immunology ; Immunotherapy ; Inflammation ; physiopathology ; Leukotriene Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Prevalence ; Quinolines ; therapeutic use ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; diagnosis ; immunology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mite allergen specific immunotherapy (SIT) in treating children with allergic asthma. METHOD: A total of 136 patients with mite allergy were recruited into the study. They were randomly divided into two groups: SIT group (n = 66) and ST (symptomatic therapy) group (n = 70). They were investigated of SIT with standardized allergen vaccine or no SIT only symptomatic therapy respectively. Therapeutic evaluation index includes: asthma symptoms score, drug score, skin prick test, pulmonary function, serum specificity IgE (sIgE) and the new sensitization was also assessed. Local and systemic adverse reactions were used to evaluate the clinical safety. RESULT: Clinical symptom scores, drug scores, Lung function, and skin test result all improved significantly after the treatment with SIT compared to ST group (P < 0.01). SIT groups do not have new sensitization and no fatal systemic reactions occurred. CONCLUSION The standardized dust mite allergen specific immunotherapy is efficacious and safe to Children with allergic asthma . SIT can reduce house dust mites skin sensitivity and prevent new allergen appeared.
Adolescent ; Allergens ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; therapeutic use ; Asthma ; immunology ; therapy ; Child ; Dust ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; immunology ; therapy ; Immunotherapy ; methods ; Male ; Pyroglyphidae ; immunology ; Safety ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Skin Tests ; Vaccines ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo observe the dynamic changes of pulmonary function and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) doses during subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) with standardized house dust mite vaccine (Alutard) in children with mild to moderate allergic asthma.

METHODSOne hundred children with mild to moderate allergic asthma were randomized into SCIT group and control group for treatment with SCIT plus ICS and with ICS only, respectively. The pulmonary function and ICS doses were evaluated before and every 3 months during the 2 years of treatment.

RESULTSNo significant difference was found in the pulmonary functions between the two groups before the treatment (P>0.05). After 3 months of treatment, FEV1% and PEF% in SCIT group were significantly higher than those in the control group [(103.19∓2.07)% vs (97.52∓1.92)%, and (105.56∓3.21)% vs (96.35∓2.7)%, respectively]; at 21 months, FEF50% and FEF25% were significantly higher in SCIT group than in the control group [(105.69∓3.29)% vs (94.61∓3.12)%, and (106.60∓3.71)% vs (92.92∓3.31)%, respectively]. A significant difference was found in ICS doses between SCIT group and the control group after 9 months of treatment (147.14∓6.41 vs 170∓4.95 µg/day, P<0.05), and the difference increased as the treatment prolonged.

CONCLUSIONSCIT combined with ICS can improve the ventilation function of the large airways early after the commencement of treatment, but its effect on small airways can be delayed. SCIT for 2 years shows a good therapeutic effect and can reduce the doses of ICS in children with mild to moderate allergic asthma.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Allergens ; immunology ; Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Male ; Pyroglyphidae ; immunology ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Treatment Outcome ; Vaccines ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy with a standardized Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract for allergic rhinitis. METHOD: Sixty-eight patients with allergic rhinitis who received specific immunotherapy with a standardized dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract were enrolled in this study. The clinical symptoms and signs were scored before and 2 years after treatment. Side effects were registered. Symptom and side effect scores were assessed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety. RESULT: There was a significant difference (P < 0.01) in symptom and medication scores between the two groups tow years after treatment. The patients had fewer symptoms and lower intake of medication. No severe systemic reactions were registered. CONCLUSION Immunotherapy with a standardized dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract is effective and safe to treat patients clinically sensitive to this allergen.
Allergens ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; methods ; Male ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; therapy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of specific immunotherapy (SIT) with standardized house dust mite allergen preparation for allergic rhinitis (AR). METHOD: Fifty-five patients with allergic rhinitis caused by house dust mites were selected in this self-control study. Clinical efficacy was evaluated by symptom and sign score after two years of specific immunotherapy and compared with pre-treatment scores. RESULT: After completing the study, a clinically significant reduction in symptom and sign score in these patients was noted, compared with that of pretreatment. And the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Standardized house dust mite allergen preparation is an effective treatment in patients suffering from allergic rhinitis due to house dust mites.
Allergens ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; methods ; Male ; Pyroglyphidae ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

The safety of accelerated schedules of allergen immunotherapy (ASAI) in patients with bronchial asthma (BA) has been reported but there are little data on the safety of ASAI for patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). In this study, we investigated the safety of ASAI in patients with AD. Sixty patients with AD and 18 patients with BA sensitized to house dust mites (HDM) were studied. A maximum maintenance dose of HDM extract, adsorbed to aluminum hydroxide, was administered to patients by subcutaneous injection with either a 3-day protocol (rush immunotherapy) or 1-day protocol (ultra-rush immunotherapy). Systemic reactions were observed 4 of 15 patients (26.7%) with AD during rush immunotherapy, 13 of 45 patients (28.9%) with AD during ultra-rush immunotherapy, and 4 of 18 patients (22.2%) with BA during rush immunotherapy (P > 0.05). No severe or near fatal systemic reactions occurred in 78 subjects of this study. Systemic reactions developed within 4 hr after administration of the maximum allergen dose in 20 of 21 patients (95.2%) with AD and BA who showed systemic reactions during rush or ultra-rush immunotherapy. In conclusion, ASAI was safe and well tolerated in patients with AD. ASAI can be a useful therapeutic option for AD.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Allergens/*therapeutic use ; Aluminum Hydroxide/chemistry ; Animals ; Asthma/therapy ; Dermatitis, Atopic/immunology/*therapy ; Desensitization, Immunologic/*methods ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Female ; Humans ; Infusions, Subcutaneous ; Male ; Pyroglyphidae/*immunology/metabolism

Inflammation of the asthmatic airway is usually accompanied by increased vascular permeability and plasma exudation. Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) has potential therapeutic applications in preventing vascular leakage. Recently, we developed a soluble, stable, and potent Ang1 variant, COMP-Ang1. COMP-Ang1 is more potent than native Ang1 in phosphorylating the tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin and epidermal growth factor homology domain 2 receptor in lung endothelial cells. We have used a mouse model for allergic airway disease to determine effects of COMP-Ang1 on allergen-induced bronchial inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness. These mice develop the following typical pathophysiological features of allergic airway disease in the lungs: increased numbers of inflammatory cells of the airways, airway hyper-responsiveness, increased levels of Th2 cell cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13), adhesion molecules (intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1), and chemokines (eotaxin and RANTES), and increased vascular permeability. Intravenous administration of COMP-Ang1 reduced bronchial inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness. In addition, the increased plasma extravasation in allergic airway disease was significantly reduced by the administration of COMP-Ang1. These results suggest that COMP-Ang1 attenuates airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness, prevents vascular leakage, and may be used as a therapeutic agent in allergic airway disease.
Allergens/immunology ; Angiopoietin-1/genetics/pharmacology/*therapeutic use ; Animals ; Asthma/*prevention & control ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity/physiopathology/prevention & control ; Chemokines/metabolism ; Inflammation/pathology/*prevention & control ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/*therapeutic use