“We’ve been offering subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) for many years with great success,” Dr. Raveendran explains. “In the last couple of years, we’ve incorporated sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) and intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT) into our practice with equally positive results. Having these three options available allows us to treat patients as young as age 4 in some cases.”
First academic center in the region to offer intralymphatic immunotherapy
Intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT) represents the most recent commercially available approach for patients with moderate to severe allergic disease seeking long-term, durable relief. ILIT involves three monthly ultrasound-guided injections of allergen extract directly into the inguinal lymph node. This protocol is significantly less time-intensive than SCIT or SLIT while remaining well-tolerated and highly effective.
“Because we’re the only medical center in the area and one of a limited number of facilities in the country to offer ILIT, we have patients who travel from as far as California to receive this treatment,” notes Dr. Raveendran.
The only center offering all three modalities of immunotherapy in the region
As the only medical center in the region offering SCIT, SLIT, and ILIT, the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center provides unmatched flexibility in tailoring care to individual patient needs.
“We meet patients where they are,” says Christopher Brooks, MD, allergy and immunology physician and vice chair of the immunotherapy committee of the AAAAI. “We discuss each protocol, explaining the pros and cons to help patients make informed decisions about their care.”
The three treatment modalities include:
- Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) – traditional and cluster
- Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)
- Intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT)
“Each therapy has its pros and cons,” Dr. Brooks adds. “For patients who don’t want to pay out of pocket, SCIT may be the best choice since it’s covered by most major insurance carriers. For those who don’t want to go through three to five years of treatment, ILIT may be the best option.”
“For our younger patients who don’t like shots, SLIT is a great alternative,” says Monica Kraft, MD, associate professor.
Advancing the future of allergy treatment through research and training
The division’s academic mission centers on improving outcomes and refining treatment pathways. Ongoing studies use validated surveys and patient-reported outcomes to assess responses to each immunotherapy modality.
“The data collected provides valuable insight on frequency and effectiveness,” Dr. Raveendran explains. “Studying patient responses in real time allows us to refine their therapy and further tailor treatment along the way.”
In parallel, division faculty are committed to training and expanding the skillset of the next generation of allergy specialists. Drs. Raveendran, Brooks, and Kraft provide hands-on teaching for physicians, fellows, and medical students. “Because the allergy division is housed within the Department of Otolaryngology, we work with ENT trainees to give them exposure to this side of the department,” says Dr. Kraft, associate program director of the Allergy and Immunology Fellowship. “Through our association with Dr. Patterson and our partnership with Auni Allergy, we’re able to share our knowledge with our colleagues and the next generation of physicians, further extending our ability to help more people suffering from allergies.”
“I am particularly proud of the transformative growth within the Division of Allergy and Immunology over the last several years and now under the leadership of Dr. Rekha Raveendran, our recently recruited Division Director. Her extensive prior clinical operations experience has brought a pragmatic, patient-centered perspective that has strengthened our clinical enterprise, expanded access to innovative therapies, and further enhanced the operational efficiency of our allergy services states Dr. Rocco, chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery”. “The division’s commitment to offering all three major forms of immunotherapy, combined with its emphasis on outcomes-driven research and comprehensive trainee education, reflects our broader departmental mission to deliver exceptional, evidence-based care. This work positions the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center as a leader in allergy innovation and ensures that our patients receive the most advanced and personalized treatments available”.