Everything Respiratory

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., [Oct. 31, 2011] – How the advent of sublingual immunotherapy and other advances in allergen immunotherapy may alter allergy treatment in the U.S. were recently discussed by a panel of nationally recognized allergist experts.  The result is a new perspectives article published in the November issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

“2011 marked the 100^th anniversary of immunotherapy and the release of the ACAAI’s third update of Practice Parameters for Immunotherapy,” said Dana V. Wallace, MD, ACAAI president, article co-author and associate clinical professor of medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “These milestones provided an excellent opportunity to review the parameter highlights and advances in treatment and create new credible resources for allergists, primary care physicians and other health care professionals.”

The perspectives article, podcasts and proceedings are based on the panel’s discussion at a recent Roundtable Forum on Immunotherapy.  Topics include:

• The latest standards of care in immunotherapy, including an overview of recently updated practice parameters;

• The status of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in the U.S. and how it compares with traditional subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT);
• Other delivery methods now available or on the horizon, including rush and cluster immunotherapy, intranasal, epicutaneous and intralymphatic immunotherapy, and needed research and unanswered questions; and
• How advances in allergen immunotherapy may change and challenge the practices of allergists and other physicians.

“These materials give practicing physicians a succinct overview of the latest research and developments in the field of immunotherapy, a convenient way to identify and access specific topics of interest and ‘listen in’ on the opinions and insights of top leaders in the field,” said Linda S. Cox, MD, article co-author, associate clinical professor of medicine, Nova  Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and immediate past chair, ACAAI Immunotherapy and Diagnostics Committee.

The Roundtable and resource materials were supported by a grant from Merck.  Dr. Wallace and Dr. Cox co-chaired the Roundtable with the following participants: David I. Bernstein, MD, professor of internal medicine and co-director of the allergy training program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and member, ACAAI Board of Regents; Michael S. Blaiss, MD, clinical professor of pediatrics and medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tenn.; Ira Finegold, MD, chief of allergy and director of the Cook Institute of Allergy, St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital and clinical professor of medicine, Columbia University, New York City and chairman, ACAAI Immunotherapy and Diagnostics Committee; Bobby Q. Lanier, MD, clinical professor of immunology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, and executive medical director, ACAAI; and Harold S. Nelson, MD, professor of medicine, National Jewish Health and the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver.

 Read more about changes in immunotherapy

About ACAAI

The ACAAI is a professional medical organization headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill., that promotes excellence in the practice of the subspecialty of allergy and immunology. The College, comprising more than 5,000 allergists-immunologists and related health care professionals, fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy and research.  Learn more at www.acaai.org and www.allergyandasthmarelief.org.