House dust mite allergen extract (HDM extract) (HDM extract)

House dust mite allergen extract is a therapeutic biological preparation derived from the mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, containing major allergens such as Der p 1 and Der p 2 (FDA, 2017; DrugBank, 2023). It is primarily used in allergen immunotherapy (AIT) to treat patients suffering from house dust mite-induced allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma (Canonica et al., 2017). The extract functions by exposing the immune system to controlled doses of allergens to induce long-term immunological tolerance (Akdis & Akdis, 2014). This process involves shifting the immune response from a Th2-dominated allergic profile to a Th1 and regulatory T-cell (Treg) profile, leading to the production of IL-10 and allergen-specific IgG4 blocking antibodies (Moingeon, 2013). These IgG4 antibodies inhibit IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation, thereby reducing allergic inflammation (DrugBank, 2023). While effective, the administration of these extracts carries a risk of systemic allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, and requires careful patient selection using biomarkers like specific IgE levels (FDA, 2017; EAACI, 2018).

Other names

Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae allergen extractHDM-AITMite allergen extractStandardized mite extractOdactraAcarizaxActair

Induction of allergen-specific regulatory T cells (Tregs) and IgG4 blocking antibodies to suppress IgE-mediated allergic inflammation.