EAACI Guidelines on Allergen Immunotherapy: Prevention of allergy

Susanne Halken, Desiree Larenas-Linnemann, Graham Roberts, Moises A Calderón, Elisabeth Angier, Oliver Pfaar, Dermot D Ryan, Ioana Agache, Ignacio J I J Ansotegui, Stefania Arasi, George Du Toit, Montserrat Fernandez-Rivas, Roy Geerth van Wijk, Marek Jutel, Jörg Kleine-Tebbe, Susanne Lau, Paolo M Matricardi, Giovanni B Pajno, Nikolaos G Papadopoulos, Martin PenagosAlexandra F Santos, Gunter J Sturm, Frans Timmermans, R Van Ree, Eva-Maria Varga, Ulrich Wahn, Maria Kristiansen, Sangeeta Dhami, Aziz Sheikh, Muraro Antonella

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198 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Allergic diseases are common and frequently coexist. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is a disease-modifying treatment for IgE-mediated allergic disease with effects beyond cessation of AIT that may include important preventive effects. The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) has developed a clinical practice guideline to provide evidence-based recommendations for AIT for prevention of i) development of allergic comorbidities in those with established allergic diseases, ii) development of first allergic condition and iii) allergic sensitization. This guideline has been developed using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation (AGREE II) framework, which involved a multi-disciplinary expert working group, a systematic review of the underpinning evidence and external peer-review of draft recommendations. Our key recommendation is that a three year course of subcutaneous or sublingual AIT can be recommended for children and adolescents with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis (AR) triggered by grass/birch pollen allergy to prevent asthma for up to two years post-AIT in addition to its sustained effect on AR symptoms and medication. Some trial data even suggest a preventive effect on asthma symptoms and medication more than two years post AIT. We need more evidence concerning AIT for prevention in individuals with AR triggered by house dust mites or other allergens and for the prevention of allergic sensitization, the first allergic disease or for prevention of allergic co-morbidities in those with other allergic conditions. Evidence for the preventive potential of AIT as disease modifying treatment exists but there is an urgent need for more high-quality clinical trials.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPediatric Allergy and Immunology
Volume28
Issue number8
Pages (from-to)728-745
Number of pages18
ISSN0905-6157
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2017

Keywords

  • Journal Article
  • Review

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