Preventive aspects of immunotherapy: prevention for children at risk of developing asthma

Objectives: This review describes the connection between hay fever and asthma in patients suffering from specific IgE-mediated allergy. The short-term and longterm benefits of allergen specific immunotherapy (SIT), including potential prevention of exacerbation of disease from hay fever into asthma, are discussed. Data Sources: A review of literature on recent studies of SIT as treatment for allergic disease was conducted. Preliminary data emerging from the ongoing preventive allergy treatment study in Northern Europe are also presented. Study Selection: The author's expert opinion was used to select relevant data. Results: Treatment with allergenic vaccines (immunotherapy) resulted in decreased symptoms of allergic rhinitis, decreased development of new allergies, and less asthma in the treated group, compared with the untreated control group. Conclusions: SIT performed with characterized and standardized allergen extracts in an optimal dosage has been shown to interfere with the basic mechanisms of the allergy, resulting in immediate symptomatic relief and offering the patient a long-lasting and preventive effect.