Serum Cytokine Interactions Are Implicated in the Mechanism of Action of Sublingual Immunotherapy for Japanese Cedar Pollinosis.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether interactions between multiple serum cytokines may be implicated in the mechanism of action (MOA) of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for Japanese cedar pollinosis.

Methods: A Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health-initiated clinical study of active SLIT involving 202 patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis was jointly conducted by Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science and Nippon Medical School between 2006 and 2008. Fifty target cytokines were quantified in serum samples collected at 6 times from baseline to the end of the study, for 300 cytokine measurements in total, using Bio-Plex Pro Human Cytokine Group I/II Panels. Therapeutic outcome was assessed based on nasal symptom scores and quality-of-life questionnaire results.

Results: Fifty-five percent of patients were free of symptoms or reported symptomatic improvements by 2 grades or greater after 2 years of SLIT treatment, while 27% showed no improvement or worsening of symptoms. Thirty-eight patients who benefited the most from treatment (responders) as well as 37 patients who benefited the least from treatment (non-responders) were identified and their serum cytokine profiles were compared. Cluster analysis of the 300 cytokine measurements identified 6 cytokine clusters that were strongly correlated with a positive response to treatment, and this correlation was consistent throughout the treatment.

Conclusion: Certain cytokine clusters are strongly correlated with a positive therapeutic outcome, suggesting they have a role in the MOA of immunotherapy.