Table 3.
Comparison of the different drug types used to treat house dust mite-driven allergic asthma.
| Small Drugs | Biologicals | Allergen Immunotherapy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Molecular weight (kDa) | 0.9 | 150 | 5–50 |
| Structure | Chemical compound | Monoclonal antibody (immunoglobulin) |
Protein |
| Production mode | Chemical synthesis | Genetic engineering and cell culture | Purification of native extract |
| Site of action | Extra or intracellular | Extracellular | Extra and intracellular |
| Administration route | Inhaled or oral | Subcutaneous or intravenous | Subcutaneous or sublingual |
| Half-life | Hours | Weeks | Weeks |
| Dose interval | Maximum 24 h | 2–4 weeks | 24 h to 4–6 weeks |
| Precision medicine | Pharmacogenomics | Immunology and metabolomics | Molecular allergology |
| Specificity | Low/medium/high | High | Very high |
| Sustained effect after discontinuation | No | No | Yes |
| Disease-modifying effect | No | No | Yes |
| Administration period | Indefinite | Indefinite | 3 years |
kDa: kilodalton.