A novel therapy for atopic dermatitis with allergen-antibody complexes: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Vol. 28; no. 2; pp. 232 - 239
• Main Authors: Leroy, Bernard P., Boden, Griet, Lachapelle, Jean-Marie, Jacquemin, Marc G., Saint-Remy, Jean-Marie R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01.02.1993; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Allergens - administration & dosage; Allergens - adverse effects; Allergens - therapeutic use; Allergic diseases; Antigen-Antibody Complex - therapeutic use; Antigens, Dermatophagoides; Biological and medical sciences; Dermatitis, Atopic - blood; Dermatitis, Atopic - etiology; Dermatitis, Atopic - therapy; Desensitization, Immunologic; Double-Blind Method; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Immunoglobulin E - blood; Immunoglobulin E - drug effects; Immunoglobulin G - blood; Immunoglobulin G - drug effects; Immunopathology; Injections, Intradermal; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Remission Induction; Severity of Illness Index; Skin allergic diseases. Stinging insect allergies; Human; Immunopathology; Skin disease; Antibody; Hypersensitivity; Acaridida; Intradermally administration; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; Acariformes; Arachnida; Treatment; Acari; Atopic dermatitis; Arthropoda; Adult; Pyroglyphidae; Invertebrata; Allergen; Immune complex
• ISSN: 0190-9622; 1097-6787
• DOI: 10.1016/0190-9622(93)70033-P

Background: Exposure to airborne allergens exacerbates symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD) in hypersensitive patients. Objective: Our purpose was to determine whether the administration of allergen-antibody complexes would improve the symptoms of AD. Methods: Twenty-four adults with AD and hypersensitivity to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt) were treated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial by intradermal injections of complexes containing autologous specific antibodies and Dpt allergens. After 4 months, placebo-treated patients started receiving active treatment. All patients were treated for a full year. Clinical status and Dpt-specific IgG and IgE antibody levels were monitored. Results: Symptoms of AD subsided within a few weeks after starting therapy, with significant reduction after 4 months in treated patients only. After 1 year, 82% of the patients exhibited a mean improvement of 83%, associated with reduction of Dpt-specific IgG antibodies. Conclusion: The treatment of Dpt-sensitive patients with AD by injections of allergen-antibody complexes is safe and effective in a majority of patients.