Tree‐pollen allergy is efficiently treated by short‐term immunotherapy (STI) with seven preseasonal injections of molecular standardized allergens

Abstract

The efficacy and tolerance of short‐term immunotherapy (STI) by seven preseasonal injections of tree‐pollen allergens (ALK7 FrUhbltihermischung®) was investigated in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicenter study with 111 rhinoconjunctivitis patients. Nasal and bronchial symptoms simultaneously analyzed, and nasal symptoms as a single end point, but not the overall score of nasal, bronchial, and conjunctival symptoms, showed a significantly lower increase with STI during birch‐pollen exposure (both P= 0.033, n= 105, Mann‐Whitney U‐test). However, a selective analysis with patients from centers with high recruitment figures (nS10 patients, n=29 STI, n=32 placebo) showed a significantly lower increase of nasal, bronchial, and overall symptom score (STI 11.0 vs placebo 18.0, P=0.001, U‐test). STI had equidirected effects on conjunctival, nasal, and bronchial symptoms analyzed as multiple end points, although conjunctival symptoms were not significantly different as a single end point. The seasonal increase in drug use was reduced by 62% in the STI group compared with placebo (P=0.032, Mest), Specific IgG4 increased only after STI (P<0,001); IgE was not significantly different. Eosinophil cationic protein remained unchanged with STI, but significantly increased with placebo in the pollen season (P=Qm3). STI was well tolerated. In conclusion, STI was shown to be efficacious and safe for the treatment of patients with tree‐pollen rhinoconjunctivitis.