Successful Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy: Induction of Unresponsiveness by ‘Vaccination’

Abstract

The mechanisms of action of allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) are often referred to as the induction of ‘tolerance’. However, immunological ‘tolerance’ is defined as an alteration in the function or composition of immune cells. For AIT, this is not always the case, because it can also induce allergen-specific IgG antibodies that block allergic responses. To include all possible mechanisms that may mediate successful AIT, it is advantageous to use the scientific term ‘unresponsiveness’ instead of ‘tolerance’. In praxis, the term ‘vaccination’ is also appropriate, as AIT medications are specialized vaccines.