Epigenetic modifications and improved regulatory T-cell function in subjects undergoing dual sublingual immunotherapy

Abstract

Background: Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only mode of therapy that has been demonstrated to offer a cure in patients with IgE-mediated respiratory allergies. Objective: We sought to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of timothy grass (TG) and dust mite (DM) dual sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) and to begin to investigate the immune mechanisms involved in successful immunotherapy with multiple allergens. Methods: The safety and efficacy of dual SLIT with TG and DM in children and adults with demonstrated allergies to TG and DM were investigated in a single-center, randomized, double-blind, controlled phase I study. Thirty subjects received either TG and DM dual SLIT (n = 20) or placebo (n = 10). Immune parameters were evaluated for differentiation of desensitized subjects from control subjects. Results: Subjects treated with dual SLIT had decreased rhinoconjunctivitis scores (P