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Recombinant Allergen Immunotherapy: Clinical Evidence of Efficacy—A Review

  • IMMUNOTHERAPY (L COX, SECTION EDITOR)
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Abstract

Recombinant allergens for immunotherapy aim to overcome the problems of natural extracts as they can be produced in unlimited amounts with exact physiochemical and immunological properties. These can be modified to have more favourable characteristics including reduced IgE reactivity or enhanced immunogenicity. Different types of recombinant allergens have been evaluated in clinical phase II and III trials whilst others are currently under development. In this review, we identified double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised clinical trials assessing the efficacy and safety of various recombinant allergen preparations. The majority of studies have up to now focused on cat, grass, birch, ragweed and bee venom allergens. Some studies have shown some of these preparations to be effective and well tolerated. However, there are still outstanding issues regarding optimum doses, minimising side effects and long-term effects.

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Conflict of Interest

Oliver Pfaar has received research grants from ALK-Abello, Denmark; Allergopharma, Germany; Stallergenes, France; HAL, The Netherlands; Artu Biologicals, The Netherlands; Allergy-Therapeutics/Bencard, UK/Germany; Hartington, Spain; Lofarma, Italy; Novartis/Leti, Germany/Spain; GlaxoSmithKline, UK/Germany; Essex-Pharma, Germany; Cytos, Switzerland; Curalogic, Denmark; Roxall, Germany; Biomay, Austria; Thermo-Fisher, Germany; MEDA-Pharma GmbH, Germany; and/or has served as an adviser and on the speakers’ bureaus for some of the aforementioned pharmaceutical companies. Furthermore, he has received travel grants from HAL Allergy, The Netherlands/Germany, and Allergopharma, Germany, and is a consultant for HAL-Allergy, The Netherlands.

Melina Makatsori declares that she has no conflict of interest. Ramon Lleonart declares that he has no conflict of interest. Moises A. Calderon declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Imperial College London, NHLI, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, SW3 6LY, UK

    Melina Makatsori & Moises A. Calderon

  2. Centre for Rhinology and Allergology Wiesbaden, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital, Mannheim, Germany

    Oliver Pfaar

  3. Allergy Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain

    Ramon Lleonart

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  1. Melina Makatsori
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  2. Oliver Pfaar
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Correspondence to Moises A. Calderon.

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Makatsori, M., Pfaar, O., Lleonart, R. et al. Recombinant Allergen Immunotherapy: Clinical Evidence of Efficacy—A Review. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 13, 371–380 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-013-0359-7

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