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Özdemiral C, Gurel DI, Sahiner U. Allergen-specific immunotherapy at the extremes of age: below 5 years and elderly: evidence beyond indications? Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2024:00130832-990000000-00155. [PMID: 39329170 DOI: 10.1097/aci.0000000000001030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) has been used in clinical practice to treat allergic diseases for over 100 years. The effectiveness and safety of AIT have been substantiated in numerous studies; however, children before 5 years of age and elderly are not encompassed generally. This review aims to present the current understanding of AIT in the extremes of age. RECENT FINDINGS Early allergen immunotherapy during infancy or early childhood may prevent the development of allergic sensitization to common allergens, thereby reducing the risk of developing allergic diseases later in life. In the elderly, improved symptoms and quality of life and reduced dependence on medication are indicated the importance on the implementation of AIT. Both clinical and immunological parameters demonstrated that the treatment was effective at the time of cessation and trend to sustained tolerance. SUMMARY There is no specific lower or upper age limit for initiating immunotherapy; however, it is important to thoroughly evaluate the severity of disease and the risks and benefits in each case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cansu Özdemiral
- Department of Pediatric Allergy, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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Dwivedi V, Kopanja S, Schmidthaler K, Sieber J, Bannert C, Szépfalusi Z. Preventive allergen immunotherapy with inhalant allergens in children. Allergy 2024. [PMID: 38588176 DOI: 10.1111/all.16115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The efficacy and safety of preventive allergen immunotherapy (pAIT) in children are currently under investigation. Here, we provide an overview of pAIT with respiratory allergens concerning the prevention of new sensitizations, allergic disease onset and progression as well as further immunomodulatory effects. Three databases were searched for clinical pAIT studies in children. Selected publications were reviewed for preventive outcomes according to prevention level (primary, secondary, and tertiary), allergen type, administration route, dose, and treatment duration. The primary prevention approach appears safe but showed no allergen-specific effect on new sensitizations. Secondary prevention seems feasible and may induce regulatory T cell-mediated immunotolerance. The number of studies at these prevention levels is limited. Tertiary prevention with grass and/or tree pollen-based pAIT has shown efficacy in preventing disease progression from allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis to asthma. Data on tertiary pAIT with house dust mites and other allergen types are inconclusive. Subcutaneous and sublingual routes appear similarly effective, but head-to-head comparative paediatric studies are scarce. Additionally, there are fewer placebo-controlled studies. Nevertheless, immunomodulatory outcomes of pAIT are encouraging. Currently, limited but favourably suggestive evidence is available for preventing respiratory allergic diseases in children by pAIT. Primary and secondary prevention have potential and warrant further investigation through well-designed studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varsha Dwivedi
- Division of Paediatric Pulmonology, Allergy and Endocrinology, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Centre of Paediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sonja Kopanja
- Division of Paediatric Pulmonology, Allergy and Endocrinology, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Centre of Paediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Klara Schmidthaler
- Division of Paediatric Pulmonology, Allergy and Endocrinology, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Centre of Paediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Justyna Sieber
- Division of Paediatric Pulmonology, Allergy and Endocrinology, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Centre of Paediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christina Bannert
- Division of Paediatric Pulmonology, Allergy and Endocrinology, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Centre of Paediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Zsolt Szépfalusi
- Division of Paediatric Pulmonology, Allergy and Endocrinology, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Centre of Paediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Zheng C, Xu H, Huang S, Chen Z. Efficacy and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy in asthmatic children allergic to house dust mite: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1137478. [PMID: 37397157 PMCID: PMC10310999 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1137478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) has been proved to be effective and safe in adult asthma. But it is still controversial in children. Object To evaluate the efficacy and safety of SCIT in asthmatic children with allergy to house dust mite. Method We searched the databases of Cochrane Library, EMBASE and MEDLINE (from 1 January 1990 to 1 December 2022). Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data and critically appraised the risk of bias. We used the Revman 5 to synthesize the effect sizes. Results We finally selected 38 eligible studies including 21 randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SCIT and 17 observational studies to assess the safety. The results revealed that short-term asthma symptom scores were declined with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of -1.19 (95% CI: -1.87, -0.50) in 12 researches with high heterogeneity. Short-term asthma medication scores were decreased with SMD -1.04 (95% CI: -1.54, -0.54) in 12 heterogeneous researches. One study showed no significant reduction in combined symptom and medication scores without providing details. No studies we reviewed reported long-term efficacy. SCIT resulted in an obviously increased risk of adverse reactions compared with placebo. For secondary outcomes, SCIT improved life quality and reduced the numbers of annual asthma attacks and allergen-specific airway hyperreactivity, but without significant improvement in pulmonary function, asthma control or hospitalization. Conclusions SCIT can reduce the short-term symptom scores and medication scores regardless of different treatment duration or mono/polysensitization, but with an increased incidence of local and systemic adverse effects. Further studies on pediatric asthma are needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy, and clarify the effectiveness of SCIT in specific population using mix allergen extracts or with severe asthma. Overall, it is recommended for children with mild-moderate HDM-driven allergic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Zhimin Chen
- Department of Pulmonology, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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Tenero L, Vaia R, Ferrante G, Maule M, Venditto L, Piacentini G, Senna G, Caminati M. Diagnosis and Management of Allergic Rhinitis in Asthmatic Children. J Asthma Allergy 2023; 16:45-57. [PMID: 36636703 PMCID: PMC9829985 DOI: 10.2147/jaa.s281439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common upper airways inflammatory condition especially in paediatric population; its burden potentially impacts on quality of life, quality of sleep and daily performance, which can be difficult to perceive but not less relevant in the middle-long term. The present review aims to provide an updated overview on AR epidemiology, diagnosis and with a special focus on its connections with bronchial asthma. In fact, when considering asthmatic pediatric population, AR is probably the most important risk factor for asthma onset and the most impactful extra-bronchial determinant of asthma control. Under this perspective, allergen immunotherapy (AIT) should always be considered in the light of a precision medicine approach. In fact, AIT does represent a unique opportunity to specifically interfere with AR immunological background, improve both AR and bronchial asthma control and prevent allergic disease evolution. Verifying the patient's eligibility to that option should be considered as a priority for every physician managing children suffering from AR, especially when associated with bronchial asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Tenero
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, Pediatric Clinic, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Rachele Vaia
- Allergy Unit and Asthma Center, Verona University Hospital, Verona, Italy
| | - Giuliana Ferrante
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, Pediatric Clinic, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Matteo Maule
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Laura Venditto
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, Pediatric Clinic, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giorgio Piacentini
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, Pediatric Clinic, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Gianenrico Senna
- Allergy Unit and Asthma Center, Verona University Hospital, Verona, Italy,Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Marco Caminati
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy,Correspondence: Marco Caminati, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Piazzala L.A. Scuro, 10, Verona, 37134, Italy, Email
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Agache I, Zemelka-Wiącek M, Shamji MH, Jutel M. Immunotherapy: State-of-the-art review of therapies and theratypes. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2022; 150:1279-1288. [PMID: 36328808 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Through its disease-modifying potential, immunotherapy is the keystone to curing allergic diseases. Allergen immunotherapy, applied for more than a century, is currently supported by novel modalities such as mAb-based therapies or small molecules targeting the key nodes of the allergic inflammation network. In this review, a summary of the most significant advances in immunotherapy is presented, addressing not only novel approaches to stratifying patients but also major controlled clinical trials and real-world evidence that strengthen the role of immunotherapy in the treatment of allergies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Agache
- Faculty of Medicine, Transylvania University, Brasov, Romania.
| | | | - Mohamed H Shamji
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marek Jutel
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland; ALL-MED Medical Research Institute, Wroclaw, Poland
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Abstract
Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is a widely used therapy for allergic rhinitis and asthma. It is a useful adjunct to standard medical management of these conditions that can lead to long-term benefits and possible resolution of symptoms. The benefits of SCIT, particularly for children, include avoiding prolonged use and side effects from medications, preventing new aeroallergen sensitizations, and reducing the risk of developing asthma. The primary risks of SCIT include local and systemic reactions. Standard schedules for SCIT include advancing through multiple doses usually in four vials (diluted to 1:1000) on a weekly basis; however, there are benefits of using accelerated schedules, especially for children who need to coordinate school and parent work schedules. Special considerations for pediatric patients include fear of needles, avoiding discomfort with injections, consent, optimal injection scheduling, and difficulty communicating about symptoms during reactions in very young children. Overall, SCIT can be a safe and beneficial therapy for children.
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Panganiban CM, Tam JS. Considerations in allergen immunotherapy for allergic asthma in pediatric patients under 4 years of age. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2021; 126:314-315. [PMID: 33775278 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christine M Panganiban
- Division of Basic and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Orange, California
| | - Jonathan S Tam
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
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