Double-blind, placebo-controlled immunotherapy with mixed grass-pollen allergoids. IV. Comparison of the safety and efficacy of two dosages of a high-molecular-weight allergoid

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1990 Feb;85(2):490-7. doi: 10.1016/0091-6749(90)90160-6.

Abstract

Specific immunotherapy is still widely used in grass-pollen allergy, but its side effects may limit its use. We tested the safety and efficacy of a formalinized high-molecular-weight allergoid prepared from a mixed grass-pollen extract with two injection schedules in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Eighteen patients received placebo, 19 received the low-dose schedule (maximal dose: 2000 PNU) and 20 received the high-dose schedule (maximal dose: 10,000 PNU). Only one patient presented a systemic reaction of moderate severity for a dose of 1200 PNU. Before the onset of the pollen season, patients had a nasal challenge with orchard grass-pollen grains, a skin test titration, and the titration of serum-specific IgG. Both groups of patients presented a significant reduction in nasal and skin sensitivities and a significant increase in IgG compared to placebo. Symptoms and medications for rhinitis and asthma were studied during the season, and both groups receiving allergoids had a significant reduction of symptom-medication scores for nasal and bronchial symptoms. There was a highly significant correlation between nasal symptom-medication scores during the season and the results of nasal challenges. High-molecular-weight allergoids are safe and effective.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Allergens / administration & dosage*
  • Allergens / adverse effects
  • Child
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Immunotherapy / adverse effects
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Male
  • Molecular Weight
  • Nasal Provocation Tests
  • Placebos
  • Pollen / immunology*
  • Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / immunology
  • Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / therapy
  • Skin Tests

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Placebos