학술논문
Oral birch pollen immunotherapy with apples: Results of a phase II clinical pilot study
Document Type
article
Author
Source
Immunity, Inflammation and Disease, Vol 9, Iss 2, Pp 503-511 (2021)
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
2050-4527
Abstract
Abstract Background Seventy percent of patients suffering from birch pollen allergy (BPA) develop a pollen‐related food allergy (prFA), especially to apples, due to a clinically relevant cross‐reactivity between the major allergen in birch Bet v 1 and Mal d 1 in apples. Therefore allergen‐specific immunotherapy with fresh apples (AITA) could be a promising natural treatment of both BPA and prFA. Objective To assess the clinical efficacy of immunotherapy by daily apple consumption for patients with BPA and prFA. Methods A daily defined increasing amount of selected cultivars (Red Moon®, Pink Lady®, Topaz, Golden Delicious) was continuously consumed by 16 patients (12 female; median age; 50; range, 23–68 years), leading to increased intake of allergen over a period of at least 8 months. Specific IgE and IgG4 to Bet v 1 and Mal d 1, conjunctival and oral provocation tests, skin reactivity, and the average daily rhinoconjunctivitis combined symptom and medication score (CSMS) were measured during the peak birch pollen season. Results After 8 months of therapy, patients showed increased tolerance to apples (p