ALLERGEN-SPECIFIC IMMUNOTHERAPY IN DOGS: CURRENT STATE AND PERSPECTIVES
Keywords:
dogs, skin, dermatitis, itching, allergen, immunotherapy, ASIT, cytokines, remission.Abstract
Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is the only treatment that directly affects the pathogenic mechanisms of canine atopic dermatitis by modifying the immune response rather than providing symptomatic control. With the growing prevalence of allergic diseases in companion animals, the study of ASIT efficacy, safety, and immunomodulatory properties has become increasingly relevant.
The aim of this review is to summarize current data on the clinical efficacy, immunological changes, and new technological approaches in the application of ASIT in dogs with atopic dermatitis.
The review analyzes recent clinical and experimental studies that evaluate the effects of subcutaneous, intralymphatic, and sublingual immunotherapy, the use of polymerized, mannan-conjugated, and recombinant allergens, as well as laboratory biomarkers for assessing treatment effectiveness.
In most dogs, ASIT promotes stable clinical remission, reduces pruritus and skin inflammation, and decreases the need for corticosteroids and antihistamines. Successful ASIT is accompanied by increased interleukin-10 production, normalization of transforming growth factor β1 levels, expansion of regulatory T lymphocytes, and reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The use of glutaraldehyde-modified or mannan-bound allergens lowers the risk of adverse reactions, while recombinant allergens provide high specificity and stability of the immune response.
ASIT has proven to ensure long-term remission even in refractory cases, such as allergic otitis media, thereby improving the quality of life of affected dogs. Promising directions for further development include the improvement of allergen production technologies for ASIT – including polymerized, mannan-conjugated, and recombinant forms — and the implementation of biomarkers for monitoring treatment effectiveness, which will enhance therapy personalization and the duration of clinical stabilization.
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