Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is gaining acceptance in otolaryngology circles, but is it really any better than subcutaneous injections? Which patients can benefit from it? How can it affect practice?
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February 2009These are questions ENT Today set out to answer by asking three physicians who use SLIT in practice: Bradley F. Marple, MD, Professor of Otolaryngology at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School; Mary Morris, MD, an allergist and partner at Allergy Associates of La Crosse, and Medical Director for Allergy Choices in Wisconsin; and Steven B. Levine, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Otolaryngology at Yale University.
What is SLIT, and how is it used?
Dr. Levine: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is the application of FDA-approved antigens to the sublingual mucosa rather than injected as they are with traditional subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT). It’s the same concentration of antigen, and the same units of antigens per milliliter of solution. It’s just the diluent that’s different.