The Current State of Safety of Allergen Immunotherapy

Abstract

Allergen Immunotherapy (AIT) is aimed at treating allergy by modifying the immunological response to allergens. However, administration of the causative allergen by Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT) to a sensitized patient may result in severe, and rarely fatal, systemic reactions. The identification of risk factors for anaphylaxis, especially concomitant uncontrolled asthma, has led to a significant reduction, but not yet elimination, in fatalities. The option of Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) has been shown to be safer, with no fatalities reported thus far and including rare episodes of anaphylaxis, but the fact that the treatment is self-administered by the patient requires precautions and careful education.