Recombinant allergens for immunotherapy

Recombinant allergens can be produced as defined molecules in consistent quality and unlimited amounts according to the corresponding DNA template. Furthermore, they can be modified to reduce their allergenic activity and to foster certain advantageous immunologic properties. Recombinant allergens equaling the natural allergens are available for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, and modified versions have been developed with the aim to to reduce IgE-mediated side effects during immunotherapy. First injection immunotherapy trials conducted with recombinant vaccines for birch pollen and grass pollen allergy show that recombinant allergen–based immunotherapy has vaccination characteristics and is clinically effective. The obtained results hold promise that recombinant allergen–based immunotherapy will improve current immunotherapy practice and may open possibilities for new treatment strategies and possibly even for prophylactic vaccination.