Sublingual immunotherapy in childhood may prevent new sensitization and asthma development in later life

In Europe, sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has generally been proved to be effective treatment in allergic rhinitis and asthma, but there are few data on its preventive effects.

This Italian study included 216 children with allergic rhinitis, with or without intermittent asthma, who were randomized to receive drugs alone or drugs plus SLIT for 3 years.

New sensitizations appeared in 34.8% of controls and in 3.1% of SLIT patients. Mild persistent asthma was less frequent in SLIT patients.

References:
Preventive effects of sublingual immunotherapy in childhood: an open randomized controlled study. Marogna M, Tomassetti D, Bernasconi A, Colombo F, Massolo A, Businco AD, Canonica GW, Passalacqua G, Tripodi S. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2008 Aug;101(2):206-11.
Image source: Gray's Anatomy, public domain.