Specific immunotherapy : clinical experience with recombinant molecular major allergens and hypoallergenic variants

Currently, preparations containing native allergens or allergoids are used predominantly in allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) of inhaled allergies. The safety and efficacy of these preparations has been demonstrated. However, their reproducible production and standardisation requires substantial effort. Besides this, improved efficacy is often associated with higher doses and an increase in adverse events. The production of recombinant allergens could make SIT preparations more precisely definable, purer, more reproducible, safer and more efficacious. Furthermore, a more specific and individually tailored therapy would be conceivable. These effects could be further amplified by modification to hypoallergenic variants and peptides, or by the addition of adjuvants. Results of clinical trials with recombinant grass, birch and ragweed pollen, as well as with cat hair allergens have already been published. Particularly broad clinical experience exists for recombinant birch and grass pollen preparations, and results are promising for commercial application. Taken as a whole, this new technology can both improve the therapy of allergic diseases and deepen the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of SIT.