SQ-standardized sublingual grass immunotherapy:Confirmation of disease modification 2 years after 3 years of treatment in a randomized trial

Background: The main aim of specific immunotherapy is sustained effect due to changes in the immune system that can be demonstrated only in long-term trials.Objective: To investigate sustained efficacy and disease modification in a 5-year double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, including 2 years of blinded follow-up after completion of a 3-year period of treatment, with the SQ-standardized grass allergy immunotherapy tablet, Grazax (Phleum pratense 75,000 SQ-T/2,800 BAU,* ALK, Denmark) or placebo.Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multinational, phase III trial included adults with a history of moderate-to-severe grass pollen-induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, with or without asthma, inadequately controlled by symptomatic medications. Two hundred thirty-eight participants completed the trial. End points included rhinoconjunctivitis symptom and medication scores, combined scores, asthma symptom and medication scores, quality of life, days with severe symptoms, immunologic end points, and safety parameters.Results: The mean rhinoconjunctivitis daily symptom score was reduced by 25% to 36% (PConclusion: The results confirm disease modification by SQ-standardized grass allergy immunotherapy tablet in addition to effective symptomatic treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2012; 129: 717-25.)