Safety, Efficacy, and Preventive Role of Subcutaneous and Sublingual Allergen Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Pediatric Asthma

Arianna Giannetti,1 Giampaolo Ricci,1 Michela Procaccianti,2 Angelica Santoro,2 Carlo Caffarelli2 1Pediatric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; 2Clinica Pediatrica, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, ItalyCorrespondence: Carlo CaffarelliClinica Pediatrica, Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria, University of Parma, Parma, ItalyTel +39 0521 702207Fax +39 0521 702807Email carlo.caffarelli@gmail.comAbstract: Allergen-specific immunotherapy is currently the only treatment with the potential to modify and prevent progression of allergic asthma in children. In clinical practice, it is available in two forms: subcutaneous immunotherapy and sublingual immunotherapy. Trials and meta-analyses showed both the safety and the short- and long-term benefits of allergen-specific immunotherapy in asthmatic children. However, its use and role in asthma remains controversial, since studies are largely heterogeneous. This is mainly due to the lack of consensus on the optimal primary outcome to be considered for clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of allergen-specific immunotherapy in asthma. Therefore, well-conducted researchis needed using standardized and validated tools to evaluate key outcomes in asthmatic children.Keywords: asthma, allergen-specific immunotherapy, children, allergy, grass, house dust mite