Clinical and immunologic effects of a rush sublingual immunotherapy to Parietaria species:: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background: The local (noninjection) routes of immunotherapy are presently regarded as viable therapeutic options for respiratory allergy, and their mechanisms of action are currently undergoing investigation, Objective: We evaluated the clinical efficacy of a preseasonal rush sublingual-swallow immunotherapy and its effects on allergic inflammation in patients with seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis caused by Parietaria species. Methods: Thirty patients with Parietaria species-induced rhinoconjunctivitis (13 with mild intermittent asthma) Here randomly assigned sublingual-swallow immunotherapy or placebo in a Nh preseasonal course, we assessed the seasonal symptom-drug intake score by diary card and the inflammatory infiltration and the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 expression on nasal epithelium after specific allergenic challenge before and after treatment, Results: The investigated immunotherapy was well tolerated, and no side effects Here recorded, A significant reduction of the symptom score (P = .016) and drug intake score (P = .008) after immunotherapy was observed only in the active group. A decrease of the cumulative score was observed also in the placebo group (P = .046), but the significance Has clearly higher (P = .006) in the active group. In the active group a reduction of neutrophils (P = .001). eosinophils (P = .01), and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 expression (P = .01) after specific nasal challenge was also detected, Conclusion: The present results suggest that this sublingual-swallow immunotherapy administered through a rush schedule is clinically effective and safe and that it decreases the immune-mediated inflammatory responses to the allergen.