Serologic study of the working mechanisms of immunotherapy for children with perennial allergic rhinitis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Recent double-blind placebo-controlled trials have clearly shown the efficacy of immunotherapy for perennial allergic rhinitis. However, the exact working mechanisms related to the clinical effect of immunotherapy remain unclear.

OBJECTIVES:

To monitor the changes over time in immunologic parameters in children who received immunotherapy for perennial allergic rhinitis, and to elucidate the working mechanisms of immunotherapy related to its clinical efficacy.

DESIGN:

Nineteen children with perennial allergic rhinitis due to Dermatophagoides farinae enrolled in this prospective open study. Venous blood was collected to determine levels of specific IgE, specific IgG4, soluble interleukin 2 receptor, interleukin 4, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 at enrollment and 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 years after enrollment.

RESULTS:

Immunotherapy affected serum levels of specific IgE, specific IgG4, soluble interleukin 2 receptor, interleukin 4, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1, but not soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1. The rates of increase of levels of specific IgG4 and the rates of decrease of levels of soluble interleukin 2 receptor were correlated with the rates of decrease of symptom scores during the first 3 years of treatment, but not after 5 years. The rates of decrease in levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 were correlated with the rates of decrease in symptom scores at 3 and 5 years after the beginning of the course of immunotherapy. The rates of decrease in levels of specific IgE and interleukin 4 were correlated with the rates of decrease in symptom scores after 5 and 10 years of treatment, but not during the first 3 years.

CONCLUSION:

Each modulation in levels of specific IgE, specific IgG4, soluble interleukin 2 receptor, interleukin 4, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 contributed to the clinical effect of immunotherapy in particular phases of treatment for children with perennial allergic rhinitis.

• Authors: Y Ohashi, Y Nakai, A Tanaka, Y Kakinoki, Y Washio, A Kato, T Masamoto, K Yamada, M Hayashi
• Journal: Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg) Vol. 124 Issue 12 Pg. 1337-46 (Dec 1998) ISSN: 0886-4470 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9865756 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Asthmatic Agents
• Immunoglobulin G
• Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
• Immunoglobulin E
• Cromolyn Sodium

Topics

• Anti-Asthmatic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Child
• Cromolyn Sodium (therapeutic use)
• Desensitization, Immunologic (methods)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin E (blood)
• Immunoglobulin G (blood)
• Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (blood)
• Male
• Prospective Studies
• Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial (immunology, therapy)
• Time Factors