Gräserpollenextrakte eignen sich auch zur Hyposensibilisierung einer Roggenpollenallergie

Abstract

In Germany, specific immunotherapy of patients with allergy against rye pollens (Secale cereale) is frequently done with different grass pollen extracts. We reassess the practice of applying rye allergens as single extract or in an individual allergen mixture in the context of the availability of a 5-grass tablet vaccine as speciality based on Anthoxanthum odoratum, Dactylis glomerata, Lolium perenne, Poa pratensis, Phleum pratense. Phylogenetically, Secale cereale shows a strong similarity to the most frequent grasses in Northern and Middle Europe. This similarity applies also to the allergen profile. In 3 studies with 256 grass pollen-allergic patients, the sensitization against rye as well as against other in Northern or Middle Europe frequently found grasses could be shown in all patients. Using sera from 15 grass pollen-allergic patients, it could be shown by immunoblot and ELISA inhibition studies that a 5-grass extract inhibits > 90% of IgE binding to rye allergens. The high cross-immunogenicity between Secale cereale and common grasses is reflected in medical practice in many European countries. Patients with rye allergy are treated with grass pollen extracts. According to the high cross-reactivity between grasses and rye-specific immunotherapy of rye allergy seems to be feasible also with a grass pollen extract. Related to existing data this is independent whether the therapeutic extract includes a single grass, a mixture of 5 grasses or other mixtures.