Allergen immunotherapy

Allergen injection immunotherapy is highly effective in selected patients w ith IgE-mediated allergic disease. Immunotherapy is the only treatment in c urrent use that can improve the long-term outcome of allergic disease follo wing its discontinuation. The probable mechanism of action is through alter ation of the Th1/Th2 T lymphocyte balance either by inducing unresponsivene ss (anergy) or immune deviation in favour of Th1, responses. Alternative ro utes of administration may improve further on safety and broaden the availa bility of immunotherapy.