Plasticity of immune system vs. memory therapy IST

Abstract

Background: Pharmacotherapy and immunotherapy are the main treatments for allergic diseases to inhalants.

Objective: This study investigates whether to repeat short cycles of immunotherapy after 3 or 5 years the from interruption of the first therapeutic cycle, lasting 3-4 years, to maintain immune memory in individuals subjected to IST.

Methods and results: We have compared two groups, one of 452 patients who, after the first treatment for 3-4 years of IST, performed a cycle of four months after three and 10 years from the suspension, and a second group of 126 individuals who have performed only the IST treatment for 3-4 years. The best results were obtained in the first group.

Conclusions: These results are due to the immune system's plasticity, a very important concept in clinical practice.

Keywords: Antibodies; Antihistamines; Biological plasticity; Immunotherapy; Lymphocytes; Vaccination.