Cellular Immunotherapy for Seasonal Allergies: How Autolymphocyte Therapy Works

Every spring and late summer, millions of people experience the same problem — seasonal allergies. Nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes, watery eyes, and a general decline in well-being become familiar companions during the pollen season.

Why do allergies occur?

Tree, grass, and weed pollen is harmless to most people. However, in individuals with seasonal allergies, the immune system mistakenly recognizes pollen as a potentially harmful substance.

As a result, a complex cascade of immune reactions is triggered. Various immune cells become activated and release biologically active substances, including histamine. These processes are responsible for the characteristic symptoms of seasonal allergies:

• Nasal congestion;
• Sneezing;
• Itching of the mucous membranes;
• Watery eyes;
• Swelling.

In Ukraine, the most intensive pollen seasons typically occur during:

• Late April through May — tree pollen season, especially birch;
• August through September — ragweed flowering season, one of the country’s most common allergen sources.

How are seasonal allergies treated today?

Modern medicine offers several approaches to the treatment of allergic diseases.

The most commonly used medications are antihistamines, which help relieve allergy symptoms by blocking the action of histamine. They effectively control symptoms but do not modify the underlying immune response responsible for the body’s continued reaction to allergens.

What is cellular immunotherapy using autolymphocyte therapy?

Cellular immunotherapy is a biotechnology-based treatment that utilizes the patient’s own immune cells.

The procedure begins with the collection of the patient’s venous blood. In the laboratory, a fraction of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is isolated. This fraction includes T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, monocytes, and other immune cells involved in regulating the immune response.

After specialized laboratory preparation, these cells are used according to the clinical treatment protocol.

At DEVA Clinique Medical Center, physicians sometimes refer to this process as “cell training” to help patients better understand the concept.

How is the treatment performed at DEVA Clinique Medical Center?

Before treatment begins, every patient undergoes a medical consultation.

During the consultation, the physician:

• evaluates the patient’s clinical condition;
• reviews the medical history;
• analyzes previous examination results;
• determines the indications and possible contraindications for the procedure.

If the physician determines that the treatment is appropriate, a sample of venous blood is collected.

At DEVA Clinique’s in-house laboratory, the required cellular fraction is isolated and undergoes specialized laboratory preparation according to internal clinical protocols.

Once the laboratory stage has been completed, the prepared cellular material is used for the treatment procedure.

Treatment is performed on an outpatient basis.

The number of procedures is determined individually by the physician. In clinical practice, treatment often consists of three to four procedures, although the exact course depends on the patient’s condition and the clinical presentation of the disease.

How does the method work?

The goal of cellular immunotherapy is to help modulate the immune response involved in the development of allergic reactions.

Unlike medications that primarily control allergy symptoms, cellular immunotherapy is intended to influence the underlying immune mechanisms associated with allergic responses.

For this reason, the decision to use this treatment is always made individually following a medical consultation and a comprehensive clinical assessment.

What is known about the effectiveness of the method?

Cellular immunotherapy represents one of the modern directions in immunology and cellular medicine.

According to current scientific research, the use of a patient’s own immune cells has the potential to influence immune tolerance mechanisms and modulate specific components of the immune response. Research in this field is ongoing, and clinical outcomes depend on multiple factors, including the patient’s individual characteristics, the type of allergen, disease severity, and adherence to medical recommendations.

At DEVA Clinique, some patients may notice the first changes after the treatment course has begun. According to the clinical observations of our physicians, the achieved clinical response may persist throughout the allergy season in many cases. Before the next pollen season, the physician may recommend a repeat course of treatment if appropriate.

Safety of the method

The procedure utilizes the patient’s own immune cells, minimizing the risk of immunological incompatibility associated with donor-derived cellular materials.

However, like any medical intervention, cellular immunotherapy has its own indications, contraindications, and limitations. Therefore, the decision to perform the procedure is made exclusively by a physician following consultation and the necessary medical evaluation.

When should you consult a physician?

If seasonal allergies significantly affect your quality of life despite standard treatment, it may be worthwhile discussing all available treatment options with your physician.

The specialists at DEVA Clinique Medical Center will evaluate your clinical condition and determine whether cellular immunotherapy using autolymphocyte therapy may be an appropriate treatment option for your individual case.

References

Clinical and Translational Allergy (EAACI) — Current approaches to the treatment of allergic diseases.

J Clin Med. Cell-Based Therapies and Immune Modulation.

PubMed Central. Mechanisms of Immune Tolerance and Cell-Based Immunotherapy.

Soluble Antigen Arrays Efficiently Deliver Immune Tolerance Signals. Diabetes. (Experimental models of immune tolerance.)