Research Shows Allergy Shots Are Effective Regardless of Dose or Allergy Severity

Allergy immunotherapy, commonly known as allergy shots, is a treatment used by approximately 2.6 million Americans each year to combat allergies to substances like peanuts, bees, pollen, and cockroaches. These therapies have been in use for decades and are generally considered both safe and effective. However, scientists still aim to understand precisely how these treatments work and what factors influence their success.

Research conducted by scientists at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) has provided new insights into the actual mechanisms behind allergy immunotherapy. They focus on how these treatments target specific immune cells, particularly T cells, which play a crucial role in driving allergic reactions. T cells "remember" previous exposures to allergens and alert other immune cells when allergens are detected.

A recent study examined how different doses of allergens in immunotherapy affect T cell responses, particularly in children aged 8 to 17 with cockroach allergies—a common issue in urban settings where up to 89% of households have cockroach allergens. Interestingly, the findings revealed that the concentration of allergens in the extracts did not significantly alter T cell responses, as long as key proteins were included. This suggests that the dosing may not be as critical as previously thought, provided the extract contains the relevant allergens.

The research highlighted a particular type of T cell known as Th2 cells, which are linked to asthma and allergic reactions. By targeting and desensitizing these cells, allergy treatments can effectively reduce symptoms. The studies further showed that immunotherapy works equally well in children with mild and severe allergies, indicating that the strength of a person's allergic response doesn't necessarily affect the therapy’s effectiveness.

These findings open the possibility for more refined, molecular-level allergy treatments in the future. Scientists aim to develop immunotherapies based on specific allergens and immune responses rather than crude allergen extracts, potentially leading to safer and more effective personalized therapies.

Overall, this research gives hope that allergy shots can be effective across a wide range of allergy severities and allergen doses, simplifying treatment protocols and broadening options for allergy sufferers.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-allergy-shots-dose-severity.html