Sublingual Immunotherapy for Japanese Cedar Pollinosis

Background: Although subcutaneous immunotherapy may cure allergic diseases, it is not commonly used in Japan because of the pain and risk of anaphylactic shock. Sublingual immunotherapy(SLIT)overcomes these limitations and although it is the most advanced form of local immunotherapy for clinical application, it is not used in Japan nor has it been extensively studied. Methods: After obtaining approval from the Ethics Committee of Nippon Medical School and informed consent from five patients with cedar pollinosis(one man, four women; age range, 38–66 years), administration of a therapeutic extract was started in July 2001 or later(mean treatment period, 13.4 months). The clinical efficacy of SLIT and its influence on the quality of life, as measured by the Japanese Allergic Rhinitis QOL Standard Questionnaire, and the incidence of side effects were evaluated in 2003. Results: Between February and April the mean severity score was 1.44 in the patients undergoing SLIT and 1.86 in the patients undergoing pharmacotherapy, and the respective mean QOL total scores during the season were 3.82 and 10.0. Neither systemic nor local side effects occurred during SLIT. Conclusions: SLIT is safe and effective for Japanese cedar pollinosis