Factors Predicting Efficacy of Allergen Injection Immunotherapy for Grass Pollen Hayfever

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine at which point in the dosing regime grass pollen immunotherapy causes a significant reduction in the late skin response to allergen challenge. A once weekly cluster regimen of 2 injections per visit was employed during the up-dosing phase, followed by monthly maintenance injections of 100,000 SQ units. Symptom scores and need of rescue medication were recorded by patients during the study period. The size of early and late cutaneous response to allergen challenge was recorded and measured by a physician.

Detailed Description
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This was a single centre, randomised, double-blind placebo controlled trial of grass pollen injection immunotherapy (Alutard SQ, ALK Abello, Denmark) in adults with severe summer hayfever unresponsive to antihistamines and topical steroids. The main aim was to determine at which point in the dosing regime grass pollen immunotherapy causes a significant reduction in the late skin response to allergen challenge. A once weekly cluster regimen of 2 injections per visit was employed during the up-dosing phase, followed by monthly maintenance injections of 100,000 SQ units. Twelve patients received active treatment (mean age 31, 7 male) whilst 6 were given placebo (mean age 37, 2 male). The 24 hour skin response (size of swelling, (mm)) to intradermal allergen challenge (0.1, 1, 10 BU) was determined on alternate weeks during the 8 week up-dosing phase and then monthly up to 6 months and 3 monthly up to 11-13 months following initiation of treatment. Results: At the end of the up-dosing phase (approximately 8 weeks) there was a significant reduction in the size of the late phase response which was evident with all three intradermal doses (p=0.02 for 0.1 & 1 BU and p=0.04 for 10 BU). This reduction was sustained throughout the maintenance phase (p=0.04 for 0.1 BU and 0.01 for 1& 10BU). Conclusion: The up-dosing phase of grass pollen immunotherapy alone is sufficient to dampen the late skin response to allergen challenge. Whether or not this may be predictive of the clinical response to immunotherapy remains to be determined.

Official Title
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Factors Predicting Efficacy of Allergen Injection Immunotherapy for Grass Pollen Hayfever: A Pilot Study. (Up-dosing Study)

Conditions
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Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal

Intervention / Treatment
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* Biological: Sublingual Alutard SQ grass pollen tablets (Phleum pratense)
* Procedure: Venepuncture: 100ml blood sample taken on 12 separate visits


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Male and female 18-65 years of age Written informed consent obtained before entering the trial A clinical history of grass pollen induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis of two years or more requiring treatment during the grass pollen season A clinical history of severe rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms (interfering with usual daily activities or sleep), which remain troublesome despite treatment with anti-allergic drugs during the grass pollen season Positive Skin Prick Test (SPT) response (wheal diameter ≥ 3 mm) to Phleum pratense Positive specific IgE against Phleum pratense (≥ IgE Class 2) Physical examination with no clinically relevant findings If pre-menopausal female of childbearing potential, the subject must test negative on standard urine pregnancy test and must be willing to practice appropriate contraceptive methods for the duration of the trial Willingness to comply with this protocol Exclusion Criteria: FEV1 < 70% of predicted value A clinical history of symptomatic seasonal allergic rhinitis and/or asthma due to tree pollen or weed pollen adjacent to the start of - and potentially overlapping - the grass pollen season A clinical history of significant symptomatic perennial allergic rhinitis and/or asthma caused by an allergen to which the subject is regularly exposed A clinical history of significant recurrent acute sinusitis (defined as 2 episodes per year for the last two years all of which required antibiotic treatment) or chronic sinusitis At randomisation, current symptoms of, or treatment for, upper respiratory tract infection, acute sinusitis, acute otitis media or other relevant infectious process (serous otitis media is not an exclusion criterion) History of emergency visit or admission for asthma in the previous 12 months Use of an investigational drug within 30 days prior to screening Previous treatment by immunotherapy with grass pollen allergen or any other allergen within the previous 5 years History of anaphylaxis, including anaphylactic food allergy, bee venom anaphylaxis, exercise anaphylaxis or drug induced anaphylaxis History of angioedema Any of the following underlying conditions known or suspected to be present: Cystic fibrosis Malignancy Insulin-dependent diabetes Malabsorption or malnutrition Renal or hepatic insufficiency Chronic infection Drug dependency or alcoholism Ischemic heart disease or angina requiring current daily medication or with any evidence of disease making implementation of the protocol or interpretation of the protocol results difficult or jeopardising the safety of the subject (e.g. clinically significant cardiovascular, serious immunopathologic, immunodeficiency whether acquired or not, hepatic, neurologic, psychiatric, endocrine, or other major systemic disease) Immunosuppressive treatment History of hypersensitivity to the excipients of the trial medications History of allergy, hypersensitivity or intolerance to trial medications or rescue medications A mental condition rendering the subject unable to understand the nature, scope and possible consequences of the trial, and/or evidence of an uncooperative attitude Unlikely to be able to complete the trial, for any reason, or likely to travel for extended periods of time during the grass pollen season

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Biological: Sublingual Alutard SQ grass pollen tablets (Phleum pratense)|nan|
|Procedure: Venepuncture: 100ml blood sample taken on 12 separate visits|nan|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Symptom and medication score recorded by subjects |  |  | 
| Adverse events |  |  | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire |  |  | 
| Intradermal allergen challenge |  |  | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Hayfever, Sublingual Immunotherapy, Grass pollen immunotherapy, Late cutaneous response, Intradermal allergen challenge, Seasonal Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis