Immunotherapy for allergic diseases

The efficacy of immunotherapy is related to the dose administered, and the immune response is specific for the allergen injected. The larger dose will provide the higher level of IgG blocking antibody and will provide the most symptomatic relief of symptoms. Increased frequency of injections seems to stimulate production of blocking antibody. Much work is currently under way to provide modified forms of immunotherapy designed to elicit the immune response without the allergic or adverse reactions of the allergen. Polymerized antigens, allergoids and glutaraldehyde-treated tyrosine-absorbed allergens are examples of such modifications. It is quite possible that within a short time extracts will be available commercially such that a patient will be adequately immunized with only a very few injections. Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy offers virtually complete protection for those patients who in the past were at great risk from stings. Proper history, skin testing, extract prescribing, and extract administration all are vital points in the successful immunotherapy of a patient.