Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia
  • 2 Division of Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, Nippon Medical School, Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan
  • 3 Allergy & Immunology Centre, Pantai Hospital, Jalan Bukit Pantai, Kuala Lumpur 59100, Malaysia
  • 4 Allergy & Immunology, Gleneagles Hospital, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur 50450, Malaysia
  • 5 ALK-Abelló Arzneimittel GmbH, 22763 Hamburg, Germany
  • 6 Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar 05460, Malaysia
  • 7 Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
  • 8 Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia
J Clin Med, 2023 Feb 01;12(3).
PMID: 36769797 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12031151

Abstract

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an IgE-mediated inflammatory disease of the upper airway. AR affects the patients' quality of life, is a known risk factor for asthma and a socio-economic burden. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), comprising sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) and subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), involves administering increasing doses of the causative allergen to induce clinical and immunologic tolerance to the allergens. It is the only currently available treatment for AR that has been proven to induce disease-modifying effects (i.e., long-term remission of allergic symptoms or potential prevention of asthma and new sensitizations). Although AIT is conventionally recommended for patients who are non-responsive to symptom-relieving pharmacotherapy, it is presently recommended as a first-line treatment for patients with moderate to severe AR who prefer a treatment with the potential for long-term remission. In light of the relatively recent implementation of AIT in Malaysia, guidelines on its appropriate indication and application are important to attain optimal outcomes. This consensus statement was developed by an expert group formed by the Malaysian Society of Allergy and Immunology to provide evidence-based recommendations for the practice of AIT in Malaysia. Patient and product selection, choice of AIT, and strategy towards an effective treatment outcome in AIT are presented.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.