Predicting and overcoming poor patient responses to sublingual immunotherapy for allergic diseases

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only disease-modifying treatment for allergic rhinitis and asthma. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is commonly used in clinical practice. Although its effectiveness has been proven in randomized controlled trials and real-world studies, poor or no responses may occur in some cases.

The present review aims to summarize the main possible factors involved in ineffective SLIT treatment, including immunological mechanisms, molecular and diagnostic errors, non-purified extracts, inadequate dosage, and patients' intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics. Possible remedies are also reported to predict and overcome poor patient response to guarantee optimal treatment efficacy.

Identifying the reason for SLIT ineffectiveness is clinically relevant. Allergologists should carefully investigate the possible cause of poor or no response to SLIT. Identification is important as the potential removal of the interfering problems might allow SLIT to continue. The most common causes of poor SLIT efficacy include diagnostic errors, incorrect allergen dosage and schedule, poor quality extract, comorbidity, impaired immune system function, and inadequate adherence.