Allergen immunotherapy for oral allergy syndrome: what is the evidence for efficacy?

Abstract

Background

The vast majority of IgE-mediated food allergies in adults are based on sensitization to pollen and subsequent cross-reactions to structurally related allergens in fruit, vegetables, and spices. The effect of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) against pollen on pollen-related food allergy has not been conclusively elucidated.

Methods

A review of studies on AIT in pollen-related food allergy was conducted.

Results

The fact that the published studies show considerable differences in terms of design (e.g., number of subjects, treatment duration, mode of administration, allergen content, oral provocation testing) hampers their evaluation and comparison. Only some of the studies demonstrated an improvement in pollen-related food allergy as a result of AIT with pollen allergens.

Conclusion

Reliable recommendations on the use of AIT with pollen allergens in pollen-related food allergy are not possible as yet. AIT with birch pollen allergens appears to have a positive effect on concomitant food allergy in some patients with birch pollen allergy.