Pre-Coseasonal vs Perennial Sublingual Immunotherapy for Seasonal Allergens Dosing Regimen: Long-Term Benefits, Adherence, and Cost-Effectiveness—Is There a Difference?

Allergen Immunotherapy in children with respiratory allergic diseases

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is a well-established treatment for allergic respiratory diseases. It represents a cornerstone in the clinical management of allergic children since it is the only curative option to date able to modify the natural history of Ig-E mediated allergic diseases. Through a well-defined immunologic mechanism, AIT promotes regulatory T cells and cuts down the immune response induced by allergens. According to current guidelines based on up-to-date evidence, AIT should be offered to children with moderate-severe allergic rhinitis and/or controlled asthma starting from 5 years of age, further to an adequate risk-benefit assessment which includes patient's adherence to the treatment and a proper selection of the right product. Younger age and mild disease could be considered based on an individual evaluation. Both subcutaneous (SCIT) and sublingual (SLIT) routes of administration have a good efficacy and safety profile with safer outcomes for SLIT compared to SCIT. Only standardized products with documented evidence of clinical efficacy should be used. Although AIT is used worldwide, there are still gaps and limitations, including the lack of reliable biomarkers predictive of the clinical outcome. Novel adjuvants are currently under investigations to boost the strength and efficiency of the immune response, as well as new formulations with better efficacy and better patient's adherence to the treatment. Herein, we aim to provide an overview of current key evidence with major regard to clinical practice as well as knowledge gaps and future research needs in the context of AIT in children with respiratory allergic diseases.

Grass pollen sublingual immunotherapy tablets provide long-term relief of grass pollen-associated allergic rhinitis and reduce the risk of asthma: findings from a retrospective, real-world database subanalysis

BACKGROUND

We assessed real-world, long-term effectiveness of two marketed sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablets for allergic rhinitis (AR), and their impact on allergic asthma (AA) onset/progression.

METHODS

Retrospective, longitudinal German prescription database subanalysis of AR patients receiving 5- or 1-grass pollen SLIT tablets (n = 1,466/1,385), versus patients not using allergy immunotherapy (AIT) (n = 71,275). Primary endpoint: change over time in AR symptomatic medication prescriptions after treatment cessation; secondary endpoints: new asthma onset, and change over time in asthma medication prescriptions during treatment/follow-up periods.

RESULTS

Mean number of AR medication prescriptions was significantly decreased during follow-up (of up to 6 years) with both SLIT tablets versus the non-AIT group (p < 0.001). Over the full-analysis period, proportions of patients with new-onset asthma were 8.8% (odds ratio: 0.676, p = 0.011), 10.3% (odds ratio: 0.720, p = 0.060) and 11.6% in the 5- and 1-grass pollen SLIT tablet and non-AIT groups, respectively. For all treatment-analysis periods, both SLIT tablet groups were associated with fewer asthma medication prescriptions versus non-AIT controls.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings confirm the real-world benefits of 5- and 1-grass-pollen SLIT tablets in slower AR progression, reduced risk of new asthma onset in the non-asthmatic population, and slower asthma progression in the asthmatic population.