Allergen Immunotherapy for the Prevention and Treatment of Asthma

Batard, T., Taillé, C., Guilleminault, L., Bozek, A., Floch, V.-L., Pfaar, O., Canonica, W., Akdis, C., Shamji, M. and Mascarell, L. (2024) Clin Exp Allergy. https://doi.org/10.1111/cea.14575

ABSTRACT

Graphical Abstract

Allergic asthma is the predominant phenotype among asthmatics. Although conventional pharmacotherapy is a central component in the management of asthma, it does not enable control of asthma symptoms in all patients. In recent decades, some uncontrolled asthmatic patients, especially those with allergic asthma, have benefited from biological therapies. However, biologics do not address all the unmet needs left by conventional pharmacotherapy. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that neither conventional pharmacotherapy nor biological therapies have disease-modifying properties. In this context, allergen immunotherapy (AIT) represents an indispensable component of the therapeutic arsenal against allergic asthma, due to its disease-modifying immunological effects.

In this review article, funded by an AIT manufacturer, we find clinical trials support AIT as the only treatment option able both to improve allergic asthma symptoms and to prevent the onset and worsening of the condition. For patients with severe asthma or other safety concerns, the combination of AIT and biologics offers very promising new treatment modalities for the management of allergic asthma.

Summary

• Allergen immunotherapy is a disease-modifying approach to be considered in the management of allergic asthma
• Numerous studies suggest that allergen immunotherapy may prevent asthma onset and worsening and improves asthma symptoms
• The combination of allergen immunotherapy and biologics may further improve the management of allergic asthma

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