an evaluation of the efficacy and safety of tolamba™ for ragweed-allergic rhinitis in an environmental exposure chamber

Conditions: Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal

Summary: this will be a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter study. after passing the initial screening visit, subjects will be in the environmental exposure chamber(eec), a room with a controlled amount of ragweed pollen, for 4 hours each day on 4 consecutive days. at the last visit, subjects who have achieved a minimum total nasal symptom score (tnss) will be randomized to receive either tolamba or placebo treatments. subjects will receive 6 weekly subcutaneous (under the skin) injections of the study drug. about three weeks after the last injection, subjects will be asked to be in the eec for 2 consecutive days (visits 11 and 12, days 60 and 61). approximately 3 weeks after visit 12 (day 61), the subjects will again be in the eec for 4 consecutive days (visits 13-16, days 82-85). during all eec visits, the subjects will be exposed to ragweed pollen at an average concentration of 3500 ± 500 pollen grains per cubic meter. each eec visit will last 4 hours. during each eec visit, patients will be asked to record symptom scores for nasal and non-nasal symptoms at scheduled time points. the total duration of a subject's participation in this study is expected to be a minimum of 85 days.

ragweed allergy is the most common seasonal allergy in north america. allergen immunotherapy is a therapeutic option for patients who have allergy symptoms that cannot be adequately controlled by avoidance of the allergen or medication. it may also be appropriate for those who cannot tolerate their medications due to side effects or have difficulties with medication compliance. this will be a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter study. after passing the initial screening visit, subjects will be in the environmental exposure chamber(eec), a room with a controlled amount of ragweed pollen, for 4 hours each day on 4 consecutive days. at the last visit, subjects who have achieved a minimum total nasal symptom score (tnss) will be randomized to receive either tolamba or placebo treatments. subjects will receive 6 weekly subcutaneous (under the skin) injections of the study drug. about three weeks after the last injection, subjects will be asked to be in the eec for 2 consecutive days (visits 11 and 12, days 60 and 61). approximately 3 weeks after visit 12 (day 61), the subjects will again be in the eec for 4 consecutive days (visits 13-16, days 82-85). during all eec visits, the subjects will be exposed to ragweed pollen at an average concentration of 3500 ± 500 pollen grains per cubic meter. each eec visit will last 4 hours. during each eec visit, patients will be asked to record symptom scores for nasal and non-nasal symptoms at scheduled time points. the total duration of a subject's participation in this study is expected to be a minimum of 85 days. comparison: allergy symptoms of subjects treated with tolamba™ compared with subjects treated with placebo.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * is willing and able to give signed informed consent, and must have provided this consent. * has a clinical history of seasonal allergic rhinitis with seasonal nasal allergy symptoms during each of the last 2 ragweed allergy seasons. * has documentation of a positive skin test to ragweed allergen within 12 months of screening. * has minimum qualifying symptom scores at the last visit of the pre-treatment eec sessions (visit 5, day 4). * if female of childbearing potential, is not pregnant and is consistently using an acceptable birth control method. * is normally active and otherwise judged to be in good health on the basis of medical history, physical examination and routine laboratory tests. exclusion criteria: * a woman who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy. * has a history of more than mild asthma that requires the use of a daily inhaled or oral corticosteroid, leukotriene inhibitor, or cromolyn; or a daily inhaled short or long acting β-agonist. * has had any hospital admissions for asthma, a recent (within the past 12 months)asthma exacerbation that required either oral or inhaled corticosteroids, or a prior history of unstable asthma. * has received immunotherapy within the last 2 years that has contained ragweed pollen extract. * has previously participated in a clinical trial with tolamba or another ragweed-based immunotherapy. * has received immunotherapy for any allergens within 30 days prior to visit 1. * has the need for use of antihistamines or corticosteroids on a regular basis (systemic or topical). * has received anti-immunoglobulin e (ige) antibody (xolair®) within the past 12 months. * is currently taking monoamine oxidase (mao) inhibitors. * has taken any systemic corticosteroids, immunomodulators, or immune suppressive medications within 4 weeks prior to visit 1. * has taken any antihistamine within 7 days prior to visit 1 skin testing. * requires use of β-adrenergic blockers or other agents that may interfere with the use of adrenaline. * known current alcohol or drug abuse. * current participation in another clinical study involving an investigational drug or device, or participation in such a study within 30 days prior to visit 1. * has a history of generalized anaphylaxis requiring medical attention. * has moderate or severe allergy symptoms at visit 1.

Keywords: ragweed ragweed allergy allergy allergies allergic seasonal allergic rhinitis allergic rhinitis