Latex immunotherapy: state of the art.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Latex allergy remains a significant problem, especially among certain professional categories, and specific immunotherapy has been suggested as a suitable therapeutic option. The objective of the this article is to review the available literature on clinical trials of specific immunotherapy in latex allergy.

DATA SOURCES:

Literature databases (PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar) were searched for latex immunotherapy clinical trials.

STUDY SELECTIONS:

Clinical trials (either open or randomized controlled) using subcutaneous or sublingual immunotherapy with latex extracts were selected. Only articles published in English in peer-reviewed journals were considered. Case reports quoted in the clinical trials were also described, when pertinent.

RESULTS:

Eleven clinical trials (3 with subcutaneous and 8 with sublingual immunotherapy) were identified. Two of the 3 randomized trials of subcutaneous immunotherapy reported some benefit in adults but a remarkable occurrence of side effects. Concerning sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), there were 6 randomized placebo-controlled (1 in children), 1 randomized open, and 1 open trials. All but 1 trial reported positive results, and the safety profile was overall superior to injection immunotherapy. The overall quality of the study was moderate, and the number of subjects studied was low.

CONCLUSION:

Although guidelines do not consider allergy to latex as an accepted indication to desensitization, SLIT can be offered, in addition to symptomatic treatment, to selected patients, when avoidance measures are not feasible or effective.

• Authors: Eustachio Nettis, Pantalea Delle Donne, Elisabetta Di Leo, Paola Fantini, Giovanni Passalacqua, Roberto Bernardini, Giorgio Walter Canonica, Antonio Ferrannini, Angelo Vacca
• Journal: Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol) Vol. 109 Issue 3 Pg. 160-5 (Sep 2012) ISSN: 1534-4436 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22920069 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Latex

Topics

• Administration, Sublingual
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Desensitization, Immunologic (methods)
• Humans
• Injections, Subcutaneous
• Latex (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Latex Hypersensitivity (therapy)
• Middle Aged
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult