Role of desensitization in the treatment of respiratory allergies

Most authors consider immunotherapy as an efficient and safe treatment for pollen and mire allergic rhinitis. Recent meta-analyses showed that immunotherapy brings a significant benefit to some asthmatic patients depending on the type of allergen used, the sev erity of the disease, the number of allergenic sensitivities. Nevertheless everybody agrees that pharmacological treatment of asthma and immunotherapy must be complementary when indications of desensitization are given. All p recautions to avoid adverse systemic effects or to cure them immediately mu st be taken. More work is needed as concerning the duration of the treatmen t, the efficacy of some local allergen administrations, the indications in the young child. The future is based on the use of antigenic peptides and of recombinant all ergens.