Increase of regulatory T cells and the ratio of specific IgE to total IgE are candidates for response monitoring or prognostic biomarkers in 2-year sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for Japanese cedar pollinosis.

The aims of this study were to examine the therapeutic effects of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) and to identify potential biomarkers that would predict the therapeutic response in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The trial was carried out over two pollinosis seasons in 2007 and 2008. Carry-over therapeutic effects were analyzed in 2009.

The induced regulatory T cell level, defined as the proportion of IL-10(+)Foxp3(+) cells among CD25(+)CD4(+) leukocytes, is a potential therapeutic biomarker for sublingual immunotherapy: a preliminary report.

Background: Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollinosis is one of the most prevalent allergies in Japan. Recently, two reports described the positive effects of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) against Japanese cedar pollinosis. However, the therapeutic biomarkers for SLIT are still unclear.