Local nasal immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Local nasal immunotherapy (LNIT), an alternative noninjection immunotherapy method, is theoretically an efficient method for inducing immunotolerance directly in the affected organ. LNIT is more convenient and less invasive than injection immunotherapy, with fewer systemic reactions. The development of adjuvants to overcome LNIT's limitations raises the possibility of it being an alternative allergen immunotherapy. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical and immunological efficacy and safety of LNIT for patients with allergic rhinitis. METHODS: A systematic search for randomized controlled trials comparing LNIT and placebo was performed using OVID Medline and Embase. Outcomes were total nasal symptom score (TNSS), symptom-medication score (SMS), medication score, immunological assessment, and nasal provocation threshold. Data were pooled for meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 20 studies with 698 participants were included. The LNIT group had greater posttreatment improvement in TNSS, SMS, and medication score than control (TNSS: standardized mean difference [SMD], -1.37 [95% confidence interval [CI], -2.04 to -0.69]; SMS: SMD, -1.55 [95% CI, -2.83 to -0.28]; and medication score: SMD, -1.09 [95% CI, -1.35 to -0.83]). Immunological assessments showed no significant differences in serum-specific IgE (mean difference [MD], 6.35; 95% CI, -4.62 to 17.31), nasal IgE (MD, -0.59; 95% CI, -1.99 to 0.81), or nasal eosinophil cationic protein (MD, 7.63; 95% CI, -18.65 to 33.91). Only serum IgG significantly increased with LNIT (MD, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.20, 0.70). Posttreatment, nasal provocation threshold was higher with LNIT (MD, 27.30; 95% CI, 10.13-44.46). No significant adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: LNIT is a safe alternative allergen immunotherapy route without significant adverse events. It improves clinical symptoms, reduces medication usage, and increases the nasal provocation threshold.

Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Allergy: Increased Allergen Sensitization Versus Real Allergic Rhinitis Multimorbidity: a Systematic Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The objective of this article is to provide a recent update of the association between allergic inflammation and chronic rhinosinusitis. The systematic approach of this review article critically evaluates the literature published over the past few years and summarizes the specific pathophysiologic pathway of chronic sinonasal inflammation that has been postulated. RECENT FINDINGS: From a systematic search of the Ovid Medline and Embase, 11 studies were included in a qualitative analysis of the association between systemic allergy and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Of the 11 studies, four showed an association, three were inconclusive, and four did not show any association. From the systematic search, 50 studies suggested four possible pathophysiologic pathways that may explain the association of allergic inflammation and CRS, namely, (1) staphylococcal enterotoxin, (2) the innate immunity pathway, (3) mast cell-associated inflammation, and (4) dysbiosis of microbiota. The association of systematic allergy and CRS remains inconclusive. The recent advances in the study of the pathophysiologic pathway of CRS may lead to the possibility of a targeted treatment option for CRS.

Notch Intracellular Domain (NICD) Expression and Clinical Manifestations of Second Primary Tumor at Esophagus in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Second primary tumor (SPT) is a major factor that affects the survival of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients, and the esophagus is a common site. Detection of SPT is essential for optimal HNSCC treatment planning and follow-up. Mutation of the NOTCH1 gene is common in head and neck cancer. However, details relating to Notch signaling and clinical outcomes among different primary tumors are still inconclusive. This study aimed to identify the role of the Notch signaling pathway in HNSCC, and to compare NOTCH1 expression in HNSCC compared between those with and without SPT at esophagus while focusing on the Notch intracellular domain (NICD). METHODS: Twenty-three cases of esophageal SPT and 47 non-SPT controls that were treated at Siriraj Hospital during 2006-2017 were included. Patient information and clinical outcomes were analyzed. NICD expression demonstrated by immunohistochemistry technique in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens was studied. RESULTS: Mean age of SPT and non-SPT was 55.13 and 62.09 years, respectively, and 94.3% of patients were male. Regarding SPT detection, 82.6% were synchronous and 17.4% were metachronous. There was significantly more active smoking among SPT than among non-SPT (87.0% vs 51.1%, p=0.01). Active alcohol use was also significantly greater among SPT than among non-SPT (87.0% vs 61.7%; p=0.04). Hypopharynx was the most common primary tumor site among SPT. Three-year and 5-year survival among SPT patients was 38.0% and 25.3%, respectively. NICD expression was absent in 52.2% of SPT, and in 53.3% of non-SPT. NICD expression intensity was mostly weak or moderate. CONCLUSION: Active smoking and alcohol use were found to be significantly associated with SPT development. A high percentage of NICD inactivation was noted in HNSCC with no significant difference between groups. The Notch signaling pathway is involved in HNSCC tumorigenesis, but may not be a suitable molecular marker for SPT development.

The correlation between intradermal testing and serum specific IgE to house dust mite in negative skin prick test allergic rhinitis adult patients.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of allergic rhinitis (AR) is based on history, physical examination, and skin prick test (SPT) while intradermal (ID) test can be performed to confirm the diagnosis in case of negative result of SPT. However, the ID test is not recommended for cat and timothy grass allergy because of its high false positive rate. As a result, the "quantitative" technique of serum specific IgE (sIgE) measurement might be helpful to diagnose AR with more confidence. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the correlation between ID tests and sIgE in the diagnosis of house dust mite (HDM)-sensitive AR patients. METHODS: Patients with chronic rhinitis (CR) were recruited and SPT was performed. If SPT was negative, ID test and sIgE to HDM [Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp)] measurement were performed. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients with chronic rhinitis (CR), whose SPTs were negative for Dp, were included. There were 39 males (47.6%) and 43 females (52.4%) aged between 18 and 76 years old (mean age = 43.3 years). The ID test was positive in 13 patients (15.9%), and was negative in 69 patients (84.1 %). sIgE to HDM was positive ( ≥ 0.35 kUA/l) in 2 patients (2.4%). There was a fair to moderate correlation between the size of wheal of ID test and sIgE to HDM (r = 0.44, 95% confidence interval: 0.19 to 0.67, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: ID test has a fair to moderate correlation with sIgE Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and it can be used in CR patients with negative SPT where sIgE is not feasible.