DDDT-10044-development-of-a-sublingual-allergy-vaccine-for-grass-pollin_061510.pdf

? 2010 Frati et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd. This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, provided the original work is properly cited. Drug Design, Development and Therapy 2010:4 99–105 Drug Design, Development and Therapy Dovepress submit your manuscript | Dovepress 99 R e v i e w open access to scientific and medical research Open Access Full Text Article 10044 Development of a sublingual allergy vaccine for grass pollinosis Franco Frati1,2 Silvia Scurati1 Paola Puccinelli1 Marie David3 Cecile Hilaire4 Maurizio Capecce4 Francesco Marcucci2 Cristoforo incorvaia5 1Medical and Scientific Department, Stallergenes, Milan, italy; 2University Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties and Public Health, Perugia, italy; 3Laboratoire Stallergenes, Antony, France; 4Marketing Department, Stallergenes, Milan, italy; 5Allergy/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit, iCP Hospital, Milan, italy Correspondence: Cristoforo incorvaia Allergy/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit, iCP Hospital, via Bignami 1, Milan, italy Tel +39 025 799 3289 Fax +39 025 799 3315 email cristoforo.incorvaia@ Abstract: Grass pollen is a very common cause of allergic rhinitis and asthma. The only treatment targeting the underlying causes of allergy is immunotherapy (IT). Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has been introduced to solve the problem of systemic reactions to subcutaneous IT (SCIT). This article evaluates the characteristics of the allergen extract, Staloral, in terms of practical administration, effectiveness, safety, and mechanism of action. Efficacy data were obtained from double-blind, placebo-controlled studies using Staloral in patients sensitized to grass pollen, while practical administration, cost-effectiveness, and mechanism of action data were provided by well designed studies. The efficacy and safety of Staloral, as demonstrated by review of published studies which used doses up to 1125 times those administe