Background. Pharmacotherapy and immunotherapy are the main treatment modalities for respiratory allergy. The aim of this paper has been to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy in association in allergic patients, and to demonstrate that the patients who have performed a second oral vaccination cycle after 4-5 years from the first subcutaneous treatment, derive benefits that may last for years. This is due to immune system's plasticity. Methods. The study was conducted in 30 allergic patients which had previously executed a full cycle of classical subcutaneous immunotherapy, with a partial remission of symptoms. After 4-5 years, they were subjected to sublingual immunotherapy for the same allergen, improving the results obtained. Results. All the patients reported a decrease or absence of clinical symptoms, a reduction in the use of anti-allergic drugs, and lower values of PRIST and RAST after the treatment. Conclusions. The results of this clinical study confirm the improvement of results when subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy are associated.
Keywords: T cell; immune response; immunotherapy; sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT); vaccination.