⚡ Quick Summary
The recent consensus from the China Rhinopathy Research Cooperation Group emphasizes the importance of integrating both subjective and objective measures to evaluate the outcomes of allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT)
🔍 Key Details
- 📊 Focus: Evaluation of allergen-specific immunotherapy outcomes
- 👥 Participants: Young and middle-aged nasal experts from China
- 📝 Recommended Measures: Symptom scores, medication scores, quality-of-life assessments, and disease control evaluations
- 🔬 Objective Indicators: Skin prick testing, nasal provocation testing, allergen exposure chambers
- 🧬 Biomarkers: sIgE, sIgE/tIgE ratio, sIgG4, serum IgE-blocking activity, and immune cell surface molecules
🔑 Key Takeaways
- 📈 AIT is the only therapy that can modify the natural course of allergic rhinitis.
- 🔍 Subjective measures are crucial for assessing patient experiences and treatment efficacy.
- 🧪 Objective testing methods face practical limitations and are not yet suitable for routine clinical use.
- 🧬 Biomarkers may provide additional insights but have significant limitations.
- 🌐 Large-scale multicenter trials are needed to strengthen the evidence base for AIT outcomes.
- 🤖 Future research should focus on integrating multi-omics data and artificial intelligence to enhance assessment strategies.
- 📅 Consensus published in 2025 by the China Rhinopathy Research Cooperation Group.

📚 Background
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common condition that significantly impacts the quality of life for many individuals. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) has emerged as a unique therapeutic option that not only alleviates symptoms but also has the potential to alter the disease’s natural progression. However, the variability in patient responses to AIT necessitates a more standardized approach to evaluate its effectiveness.
🗒️ Study
In response to the need for improved assessment methods, the China Rhinopathy Research Cooperation Group convened a panel of experts to develop a consensus on evaluating AIT outcomes. The focus was on creating a framework that combines both subjective patient experiences and objective clinical measures, ensuring a holistic approach to treatment evaluation.
📈 Results
The consensus outlines several recommended subjective measures, including symptom scores and quality-of-life assessments, alongside objective indicators such as skin prick testing and nasal provocation testing. While these objective methods can provide valuable data, they are currently limited in their practical application for routine clinical efficacy evaluation.
🌍 Impact and Implications
This consensus represents a significant step forward in the field of allergology, highlighting the need for a comprehensive evaluation framework that integrates both subjective and objective measures. By doing so, healthcare providers can better assess the efficacy of AIT, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and more personalized treatment strategies. The incorporation of advanced technologies such as multi-omics data and artificial intelligence holds promise for further enhancing the evaluation process in the future.
🔮 Conclusion
The expert consensus on AIT outcomes underscores the importance of a multifaceted approach to treatment evaluation. By combining subjective experiences with objective testing, we can create a more accurate and reliable framework for assessing the efficacy of allergen-specific immunotherapy. As we look to the future, the integration of innovative technologies will be crucial in advancing the field and improving patient care.
💬 Your comments
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[Chinese expert consensus on the evaluation of allergen-specific immunotherapy outcomes(Wuhan, 2025)].
Abstract
Allergen-specific immunotherapy(AIT) remains the only therapeutic approach with the potential to modify the natural course of allergic rhinitis(AR). Nevertheless, considerable inter-individual variability exists in patients’responses to AIT. To facilitate more reliable assessment of treatment efficacy, the China Rhinopathy Research Cooperation Group(CRRCG) convened young and middle-aged nasal experts in China to formulate the present consensus. The recommended subjective outcome measures for AIT comprise symptom scores, medication scores, combined symptom and medication scores, quality-of-life assessments, evaluation of disease control, and assessment of comorbidities. Objective indicators may supplement these measures. Currently available objective approaches include skin prick testing, nasal provocation testing, and allergen exposure chambers. However, these methods remain constrained by practical limitations and are not yet appropriate for routine implementation in clinical efficacy evaluation. In addition, several biomarkers, including sIgE and the sIgE/tIgE ratio, sIgG4, serum IgE-blocking activity, IgA, cytokines and chemokines, as well as immune cell surface molecules and their functional activity, have been shown to have associations with AIT outcomes. While these biomarkers may complement subjective assessments, they are subject to significant limitations. Consequently, large-scale multicenter trials and real-world evidence are required to strengthen the evidence base. The present consensus underscores the necessity of integrating patients’subjective experiences with objective testing throughout the treatment process, thereby providing a more comprehensive and accurate framework for efficacy evaluation. Looking forward, future investigations should prioritize the incorporation of multi-omics data and artificial intelligence methodologies, which hold promise for overcoming current limitations in assessment strategies and for advancing both the standardization and personalization of AIT.
Author: [‘Deng Y’, ‘Luo X’, ‘Liu Z’, ‘Sun S’, ‘Ye J’, ‘Wang T’, ‘Chen J’, ‘Lu M’, ‘Yao Y’, ‘Wang Y’, ‘Zhou W’, ‘Liu B’, ‘Zeng Q’, ‘Xu Y’, ‘Yang Q’, ‘Yang Y’, ‘Liu F’, ‘Xu C’, ‘Sun Y’, ‘Hong H’, ‘Ye H’, ‘Zhang L’, ‘Chen F’, ‘Li H’, ‘Wang H’, ‘Li Y’, ‘Liu W’, ‘Xu Y’, ‘Lou H’]
Journal: Lin Chuang Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi
Citation: Deng Y, et al. [Chinese expert consensus on the evaluation of allergen-specific immunotherapy outcomes(Wuhan, 2025)]. [Chinese expert consensus on the evaluation of allergen-specific immunotherapy outcomes(Wuhan, 2025)]. 2025; 39:1075-1085. doi: 10.13201/j.issn.2096-7993.2025.11.015