What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to identify biomarkers for predicting and monitoring responses to house dust mite immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis patients.

January 16, 2026

Local Specific IgE Levels Can Predict and Monitor the Therapeutic Response to Subcutaneous Immunotherapy With House Dust Mite

Key Points

The study aims to identify biomarkers for predicting and monitoring responses to house dust mite immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis patients.
114 allergic rhinitis patients underwent one year of subcutaneous immunotherapy.
Immunoglobulin levels were measured in serum and nasal secretions pre- and post-treatment.
Patients were classified as high or low responders based on symptom improvement.
Predictive and therapeutic index analyses were performed using linear regression.
ROC curve analysis was utilized to assess predictive value.
Positive responses to therapy were linked to lower age and higher symptom scores at baseline.
Elevated nasal sIgE levels and higher sIgE/tIgE ratios distinguished high responders.
Post-treatment decreases in nasal sIgE corresponded with clinical improvements.
Serum and nasal sIgE/tIgE ratios positively correlated with symptom alleviation.
Nasal secretions exhibited superior predictive AUC values over serum measurements.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Identifying predictive and monitoring biomarkers for allergen immunotherapy response is crucial for enhancing clinical efficacy. This study aims to investigate the systemic and local levels of immunoglobulins and identify potential biomarkers in house dust mite (HDM) allergic rhinitis (AR) patients who are undergoing subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT). Methods This study enrolled 114 AR patients who completed 1‐year SCIT follow‐up. High responders and low responders were classified based on >30% improvement in the average total combined score (ATCS). Immunoglobulin levels of HDM and its major components were measured in serum and nasal secretions before and after treatment. Predictive index (Pi) and therapeutic index (Ti) analyses were performed using linear regression to assess the impact of baseline immunoglobulin concentrations and their pre‐ to post‐treatment changes on symptom alleviation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis with area under the curve (AUC) quantification was performed to evaluate predictive value for clinical responses. Results Positive SCIT response correlated with lower baseline age and higher symptom scores, allergen‐specific IgE (sIgE) levels, and sIgE/total IgE (tIgE) ratio. Pi analysis revealed that elevated pre‐treatment nasal sIgE levels and higher sIgE/tIgE ratios for Der p , Der f , Der p 1, and Der p 2 distinguished high from low responders. Ti analysis showed that post‐treatment decreases in these nasal sIgE levels correlated with improved clinical outcomes. Logistic regression showed baseline sIgE/tIgE ratios for Der p and Der f both in serum and nasal secretions, and Der p 1 and Der p 2 in serum positively correlated with clinical improvement. The sIgE/tIgE ratios of Der p (0.833 vs. 0.758) and Der f (0.813 vs. 0.738) in nasal secretions exhibited higher AUC values compared to serum. Conclusions Immunologic indicators in nasal secretions are potential biomarkers for the effective prediction and monitoring of early SCIT responses.

Mark Helpful

Bookmark

Relay