Comparison of Polymerized and Unpolymerized Antigen E for Immunotherapy of Ragweed Allergy

Abstract

Polymerization of ragweed antigen into high-molecular-weight polymers could improve immunotherapy for ragweed pollinosis by reducing side effects while retaining immunogenicity. To study this thesis, 23 ragweed-sensitive patients were treated with either ordinary ragweed antigen E or ragweed antigen E polymerized by glutaraldehyde. Four patients received the polymerized antigen, and six controls ordinary antigen according to the standard immunotherapy schedule; two groups of three patients received either form by a "doubling-dose" schedule. Seven subjects received the polymerized antigen by a schedule in which each successive dose was tripled. Serum antigen E binding capacity (blocking antibody) increased significantly in all subjects (P<0.001 by Student t-test). Patients treated with polymerized antigen had fewer local and generalized reactions than those receiving the monomeric preparation.