Table 1 Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of SLIT performed since 2009

Horak, 2009 [43]

18-50

45/44

3/4

Grass

4 mo

20 mcg

RC

STA

Significant reduction in RC score in Vienna challenge chamber at 4 mo in SLIT vs baseline and vs placebo (the reduction vs placebo was 29%)

Nasal airflow

Phl p 5/day

Weight of secretions

Tablets

Basophil activation

Increased IgE and IgG4

Skoner, 2010 [46]

18-50

39 med

4

Ragweed

6 mo

4.8 or 48 mcg

RC

GRE

Combined symptoms+drugs and drug score versus placebo

Nasal challenge, IgE

36 high

5

Amb a 1/day

Symptom score

40 plac

3

Metered pump

during peak season

Cortellini, 2010 [42]

16-44

15/12

0/1

Alternaria

10 mo

60 mcg Alt a 1 cumul. 6 mcg/mo

RCA

ANA

Significant reduction in combined score (-38% versus placebo).

Specifcic IgE and IgG4

Drops

Significant reduction in skin reactivity

Panizo, 2010 [45]

18-65

52/26

2/1

Grass

5 mo

25 mcg Phl p 5/day Tablets

RC

ALK

Increase in IgE, IgG4, and IgE blocking activity only in active

Yonekura, 2010 [48]

7-15

20/11

1/2

Mite

1 y

0.5 mcg Der f 1 once a week

RC

TOR

Significant decrease in symptoms and combined score in wk 0–3 and 37–40 only in SLIT

Medication score

Blaiss, 2011 [40]

5-17

349/358

33/30

Grass

6 mo

450 g Phl p 5/mo

RC

STA

Significant reduction in combined score (-26%) versus placebo. Quality of Life 38% improvement vs placebo

Asthma symptoms

Nelson, 2011 [44]

18-63

213/225

33/33

Grass

10 mo

450 mcg Phl p 5/mo Tablets

RCA

STA

Significant reduction in combined score (-20%and medication score (-20%) versus placebo

Daily medication score

Bush, 2011 [41]

18-50

High 10

2

Mite

18 mo

70 or 1 mcg

RA

GRE

Significant reduction in specific bronchial reactivity

Symptoms and medication scores

Low 10

3

(Der f)

Der f 1 per dose.

Pla 11

5

Drops

Increase in IgG4

Stelmach, 2012 [47]

6-18

Cont 20

3

Grass

2 y

Cumulative 7.3 and 3.6 mcg Phl p 5. Drops

RCA

ALK

Significant improvement in drugs +symptoms with both continuous and precoseasonal regimen. Reduction in FeNO

Symptom score

Prec 20

1

Medication score

Pla 20

2

Pulmonary function

de Bot, 2012 [53]

6-18

126/125

15/17

Mite

2 y

4.06 mcg

RC

ART

Symptom score

Der p 1/week

QoL

Drops

Medication score

Well days

Ahmadiasfshar 2012 [49]

5-18

12/12

2/2

Grass

6 mo

Cumulative: about 6,000 IR Spray

RC

STA

Significant improvement in symptom and medication scores

Reduction of skin wheal diameter

Wahn, 2012 [54]

4-12

158/49

26/2

Grass

8 mo

Cumulative: 7.2–8.4 mg group 5

RC

ALL

Significant reduction versus placebo in combined symptom/medication and individual scores

Drops

Cox, 2012 [51]

18-65

233/240

26/17

Grass

6 mo

Cumulative: approx 3.6 mg group 5 allergen.

RC

STA

Significant reduction of combined symptom + medication score (-28% versus placebo) and overall quality of life

Itchy nose symptom score versus placebo

Tablets

Bozek, 2013 [50]

60-75

51/57

7/9

Mite

3 y

NS

RC

STA

Total nasal scores decreased by 44% from baseline in SLIT and by 6% in placebo.

Symptoms after specific nasal provocation versus placebo

Medication score decreased 35% from baseline in SLIT group.

Wang, 2013 [55]

4-65

60/60

12/23

Mite

6 mo

NS

RC

ZHE

Significant decrease in each individual rhinitis symptom versus placebo starting from week 14.

No change versus placebo in medication intake

Nolte, 2013 [18]

18-50

High 187

142

Ragweed

1 y

6 or 12 mcg

RCA

MSD

Significant decrease in combined symptom + medication score for both active groups VS placebo (21% and 27%)

Low 190

overall

Amb a 1 daily

Pla 188

Tablets

Creticos, 2013 [52]

18-50

Low 197

40

Ragweed

1 y

Cumulative dose

RCA

MSD

Only the high dose decreased daily symptom, medication, and combined scores during peak pollen season and whole season versus placebo.

Low dose overall less effective than the 2 other doses on symptoms/medications in peak pollen and whole season

Med 195

43

4.38 mg Amb a 1

High 194

57

Tablets

Pla 198

38