Advancements in Allergen Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Jan 21;25(2):1316. doi: 10.3390/ijms25021316.

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects individuals of all age groups, manifesting as a spectrum of symptoms varying from mild to severe. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) involves the administration of allergen extracts and has emerged as a potential treatment strategy for modifying immune responses. Its pathogenesis involves epidermal barrier dysfunction, microbiome imbalance, immune dysregulation, and environmental factors. Existing treatment strategies encompass topical steroids to systemic agents, while AIT is under investigation as a potential immune-modifying alternative. Several studies have shown reductions in the severity scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) scores, daily rescue medication use, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores following AIT. Biomarker changes include increased IgG4 levels and decreased eosinophil counts. This review provides valuable insights for future research and clinical practice, exploring AIT as a viable option for the management of AD.

Keywords: allergen immunotherapy; atopic dermatitis; eczema; treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dermatitis, Atopic* / drug therapy
  • Desensitization, Immunologic
  • Epidermis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / therapeutic use
  • Steroids / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Steroids

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.