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Ren L, Wang C, Xi L, Gao Y, Zhang Y, Zhang L. Long-term efficacy of HDM-SCIT in pediatric and adult patients with allergic rhinitis. ALLERGY, ASTHMA, AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE CANADIAN SOCIETY OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 19:20. [PMID: 36906588 PMCID: PMC10007655 DOI: 10.1186/s13223-023-00781-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is a well-validated and effective disease modification treatment for house dust mites (HDM)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR). Long-term post-treatment comparisons in children and adults treated with SCIT have rarely been published. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of HDM-SCIT administered under a cluster schedule in children compared to adults. METHODS This was an open-design, observational, long-term clinical follow-up study on children and adults with perennial AR treated with HDM-SCIT. The follow-up consisted of a three-year treatment duration plus a post-treatment follow-up of over three years. RESULTS Patients in the pediatric (n = 58) and adult (n = 103) groups completed a post-SCIT follow-up of over three years. The total nasal symptom score (TNSS), combined symptom medication score (CSMS), and rhinoconjunctivitis quality-of-life questionnaire (RQLQ) score decreased significantly at T1 (three-year SCIT completed) and T2 (follow-up completed) in the pediatric and adult groups. In both groups, the improvement rate of TNSS (T0-T1) was moderately correlated with the baseline TNSS (r = 0.681, p < 0.001 and r = 0.477, p < 0.001 for children and adults, respectively). Only in the pediatric group, TNSS was significantly lower at T2 compared with that right after SCIT cessation (T1) (p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS Children and adults with HDM-induced perennial AR could achieve a sustainable post-treatment efficacy for over three years (up to 13 years) following a three-year SCIT. Patients with relatively severe nasal symptoms at baseline may benefit more from SCIT. Children who have completed an adequate course of SCIT may gain further improvement in nasal symptoms after SCIT cessation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Ren
- Department of Allergy, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chengshuo Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Laboratory of Allergic Diseases and Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, No. 17, HouGou Hu Tong, Dong Cheng District, Beijing, 100005, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Xi
- Department of Allergy, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yunbo Gao
- Department of Allergy, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Allergy, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. .,Beijing Laboratory of Allergic Diseases and Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, No. 17, HouGou Hu Tong, Dong Cheng District, Beijing, 100005, People's Republic of China.
| | - Luo Zhang
- Department of Allergy, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. .,Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. .,Beijing Laboratory of Allergic Diseases and Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, No. 17, HouGou Hu Tong, Dong Cheng District, Beijing, 100005, People's Republic of China. .,Research Unit of Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Nasal Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Corren J, Larson D, Altman MC, Segnitz RM, Avila PC, Greenberger PA, Baroody F, Moss MH, Nelson H, Burbank AJ, Hernandez ML, Peden D, Saini S, Tilles S, Hussain I, Whitehouse D, Qin T, Villarreal M, Sever M, Wheatley LM, Nepom GT, Sanda S. Effects of combination treatment with tezepelumab and allergen immunotherapy on nasal responses to allergen: A randomized controlled trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023; 151:192-201. [PMID: 36223848 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) has been shown to play a central role in the initiation and persistence of allergic responses. OBJECTIVE We evaluated whether tezepelumab, a human monoclonal anti-TSLP antibody, improved the efficacy of subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) and promoted the development of tolerance in patients with allergic rhinitis. METHODS We conducted a double-blind parallel design trial in patients with cat allergy. A total of 121 patients were randomized to receive either intravenous tezepelumab plus subcutaneous cat SCIT, cat SCIT alone, tezepelumab alone, or placebo for 52 weeks, followed by 52 weeks of observation. Nasal allergen challenge (NAC), skin testing, and blood and nasal samples were obtained throughout the study. RESULTS At week 52, the NAC-induced total nasal symptom scores (TNSS) (calculated as area under the curve [AUC0-1h] and as peak score [Peak0-1h] during the first hour after NAC) were significantly reduced in patients receiving tezepelumab/SCIT compared to SCIT alone. At week 104, one year after stopping treatment, the primary end point TNSS AUC0-1h was not significantly different in the tezepelumab/SCIT group compared to SCIT alone, while TNSS Peak0-1h was significantly lower in those receiving combination treatment versus SCIT. Transcriptomic analysis of nasal epithelial samples demonstrated that treatment with the combination of SCIT/tezepelumab, but neither monotherapy, caused persistent downregulation of a gene network related to type 2 inflammation that was associated with improvement in NAC responses. CONCLUSIONS Inhibition of TSLP augments the efficacy of SCIT during therapy and may promote tolerance after a 1-year course of treatment. (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02237196).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Corren
- Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles.
| | | | - Matthew C Altman
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle; Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle
| | - R Max Segnitz
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle
| | - Pedro C Avila
- Division of Allergy-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago
| | | | - Fuad Baroody
- University of Chicago Medicine and Comer Children's Hospital, Chicago
| | - Mark H Moss
- Section of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison
| | - Harold Nelson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Jewish Health, Denver
| | - Allison J Burbank
- School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill
| | | | - David Peden
- School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill
| | - Sarbjit Saini
- Division of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
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Pfaar O, Beule AG, Jobst D, Kraft K, Stammer H, Röschmann-Doose KIL, Wittig T, Stuck BA. Phytomedicine ELOM-080 in Acute Viral Rhinosinusitis: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Blinded Clinical Trial. Laryngoscope 2022. [PMID: 36222438 DOI: 10.1002/lary.30418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND ELOM-080 is a phytomedicine approved for the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract, sinusitis, and bronchitis in particular. This prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial was conducted to assess efficacy and safety of ELOM-080 in the treatment of acute viral rhinosinusitis (AVRS). METHODS Patients with AVRS received oral treatment (4 × 1 capsule per day) with either ELOM-080 or matching placebo. Primary endpoints were the change in major symptom score (MSS) after 7 and 14 days of treatment assessed by the investigator (MSSINV ). Secondary endpoints were changes in MSS assessed by the patients (MSSPAT ), olfactory function (12-item Sniffin' Sticks), 20-Item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-20 GAV; German adapted version), influence of treatment on viral load, and safety. RESULTS Four hundred and sixty-three patients were randomized. At day 4, subjective burden of disease (MSS) was significantly ameliorated compared to placebo (p = 0.012). During the first treatment week MSS scores improved about 1 day earlier, and 3 days earlier in the second week. Effect with ELOM-080 on mean MSSINV was statistically significantly superior to placebo at visit 3 (p = 0.016) and visit 4 (p = 0.014). In chemosensory testing identification scores improved comparably in both treatments. The improvement of the SNOT-20 GAV was more pronounced in ELOM-080 patients. Treatment with ELOM-080 indicated a potential for decreasing viral load. Both treatments were well tolerated. CONCLUSION ELOM-080 improves the burden of AVRS significantly in comparison to placebo, remission of symptoms occurred 3 days earlier. The results confirm the efficacy and safety of ELOM-080 for treatment of AVRS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 1 Laryngoscope, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Pfaar
- Section of Rhinology and Allergy, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Marburg, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Achim G Beule
- Department of Otolaryngology University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany and Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Cancer, University Clinic Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Detmar Jobst
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Bonn, Bonn and University of Witten-Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany
| | - Karin Kraft
- Chair of Naturopathic Medicine, University Medicine Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Holger Stammer
- PHARMALOG Institut für klinische Forschung GmbH, Ismaning, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Wittig
- G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, Hohenlockstedt, Germany
| | - Boris A Stuck
- Section of Rhinology and Allergy, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Marburg, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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4
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Krefting F, Hölsken S, Schedlowski M, Sondermann W. [The effect of treatment expectations on pruritus and skin pain]. Schmerz 2021; 36:189-195. [PMID: 34705119 PMCID: PMC9156458 DOI: 10.1007/s00482-021-00600-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Hintergrund Patientenerwartungen in Bezug auf den Nutzen einer medizinischen Behandlung stellen eine wichtige Determinante für die Placeboantwort dar. Sie können Entwicklung und Verlauf von Erkrankungen sowie Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit von Therapien maßgeblich beeinflussen. Die Mechanismen, die diese Placebo- und Noceboeffekte vermitteln, wurden bislang am besten auf dem Gebiet der Placeboanalgesie beschrieben. Aber auch in der Dermatologie findet sich eine zunehmende Evidenz dafür, dass verschiedene Symptome wie Schmerzen an der Haut und Pruritus (Jucken) sowie verschiedene dermatologische Erkrankungen durch die Behandlungserwartungen von Patienten moduliert werden können. Ziel der Arbeit Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist die Darstellung der aktuellen Datenlage in Bezug auf den Einfluss von Erwartungseffekten auf dermatologische Symptome wie Pruritus und Hautschmerzen sowie auf verschiedene dermatologische Erkrankungen. Schließlich soll die Bedeutung dieses Themas für Ärzte, die Patienten mit Hautsymptomen behandeln, vermittelt werden. Material und Methoden Es handelt sich um eine narrative Übersichtsarbeit. Ergebnisse und Diskussion Eine zunehmende Anzahl von Studien an gesunden Probanden und dermatologischen Patienten zeigt, dass Hautsymptome wie Pruritus und Schmerzen durch die Induktion positiver Erwartungen verringert und durch die Induktion negativer Erwartungen verstärkt werden können. Vorherige Behandlungserfahrungen der Patienten sowie die Qualität und Quantität der Arzt-Patienten-Kommunikation spielen für die Induktion der Behandlungserwartung eine zentrale Rolle. Schlussfolgerung Techniken, die darauf abzielen, positive Erwartungseffekte von Patienten mit Hautsymptomen zu maximieren und negative zu minimieren, sollten in die klinische Routine implementiert werden.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Krefting
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Deutschland
| | - S Hölsken
- Institut für Medizinische Psychologie und Verhaltensimmunbiologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Deutschland
| | - M Schedlowski
- Institut für Medizinische Psychologie und Verhaltensimmunbiologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Deutschland.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Karolinska Institute, 171 77, Stockholm, Schweden
| | - W Sondermann
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Deutschland.
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Dogmas, challenges, and promises in phase III allergen immunotherapy studies. World Allergy Organ J 2021; 14:100578. [PMID: 34659627 PMCID: PMC8487954 DOI: 10.1016/j.waojou.2021.100578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of treatment of an allergy with the offending allergen was introduced more than a century ago. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only disease modifying treatment of allergic diseases caused by inhalational allergens and insect venoms. Despite this, only few AIT products have reached licensure in the US or an official marketing authorization status in European countries. Moreover, most of these AIT products are provided on an individual patient basis as named patient products (NPP) in Europe, while individualized preparations of (mixed) allergenic extract vials for subcutaneous administration (compounding) is common practice in the US. AIT products are generally considered safe and well tolerated, but the major practical clinical development challenge is to define the optimal dose and prove the efficacy and safety of these products using state-of-the art Phase II and pivotal Phase III studies. In planning Phase II-III AIT studies, a thorough understanding of the study challenges is essential (e.g. variability and non-validated status of subjective primary endpoints, limitations of pollen season definitions) and dogmas of these products (e.g., for sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) trials double-blinding conditions cannot be maintained, resulting in stronger placebo responses in the active treatment group and inflated treatment effects in Phase III). There is future promise for more objective biomarker endpoints (e.g. basophil activation (CD63 and CD203c), subsets of regulatory dendritic, T and B cells, IL-10–producing group 2 innate lymphoid cells; alone or in combination) to overcome several of these dogmas and challenges; innovation in AIT clinical trials can only progress with integral biomarker research to complement the traditional endpoints in Phase II-III clinical development. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of these dogmas, challenges and recommendations based on published data, to facilitate the design of Phase III studies and improve the evidence basis of safe and effective AIT products.
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Shirazi thyme ( Zataria multiflora) extract can alleviate allergic rhinitis: a randomized clinical trial. Postepy Dermatol Alergol 2021; 38:520-525. [PMID: 34377137 PMCID: PMC8330855 DOI: 10.5114/ada.2020.102295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Atopic diseases are global concerns in the today's industrialized world. Allergic rhinitis is the most common allergic condition affecting 20% of individuals. This disorder is associated with remarkable morbidity and rising healthcare expenditure. Aim Considering the anti-inflammatory properties of a plant Zataria multiflora (ZM) with the common name of Shirazi thyme, a randomized clinical trial was designed to evaluate the alleviation of the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Material and methods A total of 30 allergic rhinitis patients were randomly and equally assigned to experimental and control groups. Afterwards, the case group was treated with an extract of ZM and the control group with placebo for 2 months. Finally, the clinical signs and symptoms before and after the treatment according to the SNOT22 questionnaire were analysed. Results Comparing the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and an average score of SNOT22 questionnaire between the two groups before the intervention provided some difference, which was significantly greater after the treatment. Based on this questionnaire, our patients in the ZM syrup group had lower grades than before the treatment and experienced amelioration. Conclusions Regarding the significant effect of the ZM syrup in reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis, its use is highly recommended. Since allergic rhinitis is a multifactorial condition, the use of herbal antioxidants along with conventional treatment would result in a more effective improvement of the disease.
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Precision medicine reaching out to the patients in allergology - a German-Japanese workshop report. Allergol Select 2021; 5:162-179. [PMID: 34079922 PMCID: PMC8167740 DOI: 10.5414/alx02234e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
An expert workshop in collaboration of the German Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (DGAKI) and the Japanese Society of Allergy (JSA) provided a platform for key opinion leaders of both countries aimed to join expertise and to highlight current developments and achievements in allergy research. Key domains of the meeting included the following seven main sections and related subchapters: 1) basic immunology, 2) bronchial asthma, 3) prevention of allergic diseases, 4) food allergy and anaphylaxis, 5) atopic dermatitis, 6) venom allergy, and 7) upper airway diseases. This report provides a summary of panel discussions of all seven domains and highlights unmet needs and project possibilities of enhanced collaborations of scientific projects.
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Sölle A, Worm M, Benedetti F, Sabine Bartholomäus T, Schwender-Groen L, Klinger R. Targeted Use of Placebo Effects Decreases Experimental Itch in Atopic Dermatitis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2021; 110:486-497. [PMID: 33894061 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.2276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Evidence from pain research shows that the effectiveness of active pharmacological treatments can be enhanced by placebo effects. The "open drug administration" is superior to "hidden drug administration." In a randomized controlled trial, we aimed to show that the targeted use of placebo effects increases the efficacy of an antihistamine (dimetindene) infusion in participants with atopic dermatitis. We openly infused dimetindene (drug) in full sight with information (intervention group 1: OPEN-DRUG+INST), openly infused drug with an additional classical conditioning learning experience (intervention group 2: OPEN-DRUG+INST+COND) or infused drug without any information or sight (i.e., hidden administration (control group 1: HIDDEN-DRUG)). Control group 2 received a placebo infusion (saline) declared as dimetindene and also experienced the conditioning experience (PLAC+INST+COND). Itch was experimentally induced with histamine via a skin prick test. Outcome was assessed at the subjective (primary end point: experimental itch intensity, numeric rating scale), and objective level (secondary end point: wheal size, mm2 ). Experimental-induced itch intensity decreased in all groups but at different rates (P < 0.001). The groups with the open administration, whether it was dimetindene or placebo, had significantly stronger reductions in itch compared to the HIDDEN-DRUG group (OPEN-DRUG+INST+COND: P < 0.001; OPEN-DRUG+INST: P = 0.009; and PLAC+INST+COND: P < 0.001). Additional drug conditioning mediated via expectation led to a stronger reduction of itching (P = 0.001). Results on wheal size were similar (P = 0.048), however, no significant difference between the HIDDEN-DRUG group and the PLAC+INST+COND group (P = 0.967) was found. We conclude that specifically generated targeted placebo effects can significantly increase the action of a drug (dimetindene) and should be used in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane Sölle
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine and Pain Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Margitta Worm
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Allergy-Center-Charité, Charité University Medical Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabrizio Benedetti
- Neuroscience Dept, University of Turin Medical School, Turin, Italy.,Plateau Rosa Labs, Zermatt, Switzerland
| | - Theresa Sabine Bartholomäus
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Allergy-Center-Charité, Charité University Medical Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lena Schwender-Groen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine and Pain Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Regine Klinger
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine and Pain Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Pfaar O, Agache I, Bergmann K, Bindslev‐Jensen C, Bousquet J, Creticos PS, Devillier P, Durham SR, Hellings P, Kaul S, Kleine‐Tebbe J, Klimek L, Jacobsen L, Jutel M, Muraro A, Papadopoulos NG, Rief W, Scadding GK, Schedlowski M, Shamji MH, Sturm G, Ree R, Vidal C, Vieths S, Wedi B, Gerth van Wijk R, Frew AJ. Placebo effects in allergen immunotherapy-An EAACI Task Force Position Paper. Allergy 2021; 76:629-647. [PMID: 32324902 DOI: 10.1111/all.14331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The placebo (Latin "I will please") effect commonly occurs in clinical trials. The psychological and physiological factors associated with patients' expectations about a treatment's positive and negative effects have yet to be well characterized, although a functional prefrontal cortex and intense bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and the immune system appear to be prerequisites for a placebo effect. The use of placebo raises certain ethical issues, especially if patients in a placebo group are denied an effective treatment for a long period of time. The placebo effect appears to be relatively large (up to 77%, relative to pretreatment scores) in controlled clinical trials of allergen immunotherapy (AIT), such as the pivotal, double-blind, placebo-controlled (DBPC) randomized clinical trials currently required by regulatory authorities worldwide. The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) therefore initiated a Task Force, in order to better understand the placebo effect in AIT and its specific role in comorbidities, blinding issues, adherence, measurement time points, variability and the natural course of the disease. In this Position Paper, the EAACI Task Force highlights several important topics regarding the placebo effect in AIT such as a) regulatory aspects, b) neuroimmunological and psychological mechanisms, c) placebo effect sizes in AIT trials, d) methodological limitations in AIT trial design and e) potential solutions in future AIT trial design. In conclusion, this Position Paper aims to examine the methodological problem of placebo in AIT from different aspects and also to highlight unmet needs and possible solutions for future trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Pfaar
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Section of Rhinology and Allergy University Hospital Marburg Philipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | | | - Karl‐Christian Bergmann
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Berlin Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health Allergy‐Centre‐Charité Berlin Germany
| | - Carsten Bindslev‐Jensen
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre Odense University Hospital Odense Research Center for Anaphylaxis (ORCA) Odense Denmark
| | - Jean Bousquet
- MACVIA‐France Montpellier France
- University Hospital Montpellier Montpellier France
| | - Peter S. Creticos
- Division of Allergy & Clinical Immunology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD USA
- Creticos Research Group Crownsville MD USA
| | - Philippe Devillier
- Department of Airway Diseases, Exhalomics, Hôpital Foch Université Paris‐Saclay Suresnes France
| | - Stephen R. Durham
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology National Heart and Lung Institute Imperial College London London UK
| | - Peter Hellings
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology University Hospitals of Leuven Leuven Belgium
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Academic Medical Center University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience University of Ghent Ghent Belgium
| | - Susanne Kaul
- Paul‐Ehrlich‐Institut Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines Langen Germany
| | - Jörg Kleine‐Tebbe
- Allergy & Asthma Center Westend Outpatient Clinic and Clinical Research Center Berlin Germany
| | - Ludger Klimek
- Center for Rhinology and Allergology Wiesbaden Germany
| | - Lars Jacobsen
- ALC, Allergy Learning and Consulting Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Marek Jutel
- Department of Clinical Immunology Wroclaw Medical University Wroclaw Poland
- All‐Med Medical Research Institute Wroclaw Poland
| | - Antonella Muraro
- Food Allergy Referral Centre Padua University Hospital Padua Padua Italy
| | - Nikolaos G. Papadopoulos
- Division of Infection Immunity & Respiratory Medicine University of Manchester Manchester UK
- Allergy Department 2nd Pediatric Clinic University of Athens Athens Greece
| | - Winfried Rief
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Philipps‐University of Marburg Marburg Germany
| | | | - Manfred Schedlowski
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology University Clinic Essen Essen Germany
| | - Mohamed H. Shamji
- National Heart and Lung Institute Imperial College London London UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre Imperial College London London UK
| | - Gunter Sturm
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology Medical University of Graz Graz Austria
- Allergy Outpatient Clinic Reumannplatz Vienna Austria
| | - Ronald Ree
- Departments of Experimental Immunology and of Otorhinolaryngology Amsterdam University Medical Centers Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Carmen Vidal
- Department of Allergy and Faculty of Medicine University of Santiago de Compostela Santiago Spain
| | - Stefan Vieths
- Paul‐Ehrlich‐Institut Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines Langen Germany
| | - Bettina Wedi
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy Hannover Medical School Comprehensive Allergy Center Hannover Germany
| | - Roy Gerth van Wijk
- Section of Allergology Department of Internal Medicine Erasmus MC Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - Anthony J. Frew
- Department of Respiratory Medicine Royal Sussex County Hospital University of Sussex and University of Brighton Brighton UK
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Sondermann W, Reinboldt-Jockenhöfer F, Dissemond J, Pfaar O, Bingel U, Schedlowski M. Effects of Patients' Expectation in Dermatology: Evidence from Experimental and Clinical Placebo Studies and Implications for Dermatologic Practice and Research. Dermatology 2021; 237:857-871. [PMID: 33498052 DOI: 10.1159/000513445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients' expectations towards the benefit of a treatment are key determinants of placebo responses and can affect the development and course of medical conditions and the efficacy and tolerability of active medical treatment. The mechanisms mediating these placebo and nocebo effects have been best described in the field of experimental pain and placebo analgesia. However, also in dermatology experimental and clinical studies demonstrate that various skin diseases such as inflammatory dermatoses and allergic reactions can be modulated by patients' expectations. Dermatologists should consider the important modulatory role of patients' expectations on the efficacy and tolerability of specific treatments and the key role of verbal information, patients' prior treatment experiences (associative learning), and the quality and quantity of doctor-patient communication in shaping treatment expectation. As a consequence, techniques aiming at maximizing patients' expectation effects should be implemented into daily clinical routine. By contrast, in clinical studies expectation effects should be maximally controlled and harmonized to improve the "assay sensitivity" to detect new compounds. Further translational studies, also in dermatoses that have not been investigated yet, are needed to better characterize the mechanisms underlying patients' expectation and to gain further insights into potential clinical implications of these effects in dermatologic conditions. Therefore, in this review, we provide a brief overview on the concept of expectation effects on treatment outcome in general, summarize what is already known about this topic for dermatologic diseases, and finally present the relevance of this topic in clinical dermatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Sondermann
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany,
| | - Finja Reinboldt-Jockenhöfer
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Joachim Dissemond
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Oliver Pfaar
- Section of Rhinology and Allergy, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Marburg, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Bingel
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Manfred Schedlowski
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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11
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Bergmann KC, Krause L, Hiller J, Becker S, Kugler S, Tapparo M, Pfaar O, Zuberbier T, Kramer MF, Guethoff S, Graessel A. First evaluation of a symbiotic food supplement in an allergen exposure chamber in birch pollen allergic patients. World Allergy Organ J 2020; 14:100494. [PMID: 33376575 PMCID: PMC7753943 DOI: 10.1016/j.waojou.2020.100494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Allergic rhinitis/rhinoconjunctivitis is the most common immune disease worldwide, but still largely underestimated, underdiagnosed, and undertreated. Dysbiosis and reduced microbial diversity is linked to the development of allergies, and the immunomodulatory effects of pro- and prebiotics might be used to counteract microbiome dysbiosis in allergy. Adequate symbiotic (multi-strain pro-, plus prebiotic) supplementation can be suggested as a complementary approach in the management of allergic rhinitis. Objective The effects of the daily intake of a symbiotic food supplement (combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis BL-04 with Fructo-Oligosaccharides) for 4 months in birch pollen allergic rhinoconjunctivitis patients were investigated for the first time in an allergen exposure chamber (AEC) allowing standardised, reproducible pollen exposure before and after intake. Methods Eligible patients were exposed to birch pollen (8000 pollen/m³ for 120 min) at the GA2LEN AEC, at baseline (V1) and final visit (V3) outside the season. The Total Symptom Score (TSS) and the scores for nose, eye, bronchial system, and others were evaluated every 10 min during exposure. Other secondary endpoints were the changes in well-being, Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow (PNIF), lung function parameters, and safety. Co-primary endpoints were differences in Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) and TSS after 120 min of exposure between both visits. Temporal evolution of symptom scores were analysed in an exploratory way using linear mixed effects models. Results 27 patients (mean age 45 years, 15% male) completed the study. Both co-primary endpoints showed significant improvement after intake of the symbiotic. Median TNSS and TSS were decreased 50% and 80% at 120 min (adjusted p-value = 0.025 and p < 0.01 respectively). All four symptom scores and the personal well-being, improved to a clinically relevant extent over time, visible by a weaker increase in symptoms during 120 min of the final birch pollen exposure. No relevant differences were observed for PNIF, PEF, and spirometry. There were no airway obstructions or lung restrictions before and after both exposures. Late phase reactions after exposure were reduced after V3, documenting a better birch pollen tolerability of the patients. The safety and tolerability profile of the symbiotic food supplement was excellent, no adverse events (AEs) were observed. Conclusions This first evaluation of a symbiotic food supplement in an AEC in rhinoconjunctivitis patients with or without asthma induced by birch pollen revealed a significant beneficial effect, harnessing significant improvements of symptoms and well-being while maintaining an excellent safety and tolerability profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl-Christian Bergmann
- Department for Dermatology and Allergy, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- ECARF - European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation, Berlin, Germany
| | - Linda Krause
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg- Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Sylvia Becker
- ECARF - European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kugler
- ECARF - European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Oliver Pfaar
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section of Rhinology and Allergy, University Hospital Marburg, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Zuberbier
- Department for Dermatology and Allergy, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- ECARF - European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias F. Kramer
- Bencard Allergie GmbH, Munich, Germany
- Allergy Therapeutics (UK) Ltd, Worthing, UK
| | | | - Anke Graessel
- Bencard Allergie GmbH, Munich, Germany
- Allergy Therapeutics (UK) Ltd, Worthing, UK
- Corresponding author. Leopoldstr. 175, 80804 Muenchen, Germany
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12
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Sala-Cunill A, Pérez-Formoso JL, Torán-Barona C, Almeida-Sánchez ZM, Álvarez-Fernández JA, García-Núñez I, Linana-Santafé JJ, Martínez-Tadeo JA, Boronat-Barado A, Justicia JL. Safety and effectiveness of a microcrystalline tyrosine-associated mite extract immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis. Immunotherapy 2020; 12:1007-1019. [PMID: 32811270 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2020-0194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To assess the safety and effectiveness of an allergen immunotherapy (AIT) with a microcrystalline tyrosine-associated mite allergoid in real-world patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). Materials & methods: Retrospective, multicenter study assessing the safety of AIT in patients aged 5 to 65 years with AR, with or without asthma, sensitized to mites. Secondary objective was effectiveness, measured as unscheduled visits to healthcare centers and emergency rooms, rhinitis and asthma evolution, medication use and patients' and physicians' disease perception 12 months before and after treatment. Results: The 306 patients evaluated, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 29.68 (14.66) years, received different treatment compositions and regimens, and 25 (8.2%) experienced nonserious adverse reactions. Unscheduled visits to the specialist and emergency room admissions significantly decreased after immunotherapy (mean [standard deviation] 2.11 [1.95] and 0.3 [0.93] vs 0.66 [1.09] and 0.02 [0.2], before and after treatment, respectively). Rhinitis and asthma classification ('AR and its impact on asthma' and 'Guía Española para el Manejo del Asma', respectively) significantly changed (p < 0.0001 for all classifications), showing symptom reduction after AIT. Median (interquartile range)-combined rhinitis and combined asthma medication scores significantly decreased (4.0 [1.33, 7.0] vs 0.25 [0, 10.0]; p < 0.0001 and 6.94 [1.5, 6.0] vs 0.67 [0, 4.67]; p < 0.0001) within 12 months before and after starting AIT, respectively. Conclusion: AIT with microcrystalline tyrosine-associated mite allergoid appears to be safe and effective in treating rhinitis caused by mites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Sala-Cunill
- Allergy Section, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebrón, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - José L Pérez-Formoso
- Private Practice Dr. José L. Pérez Formoso, 41004 Sevilla, Spain.,Allergology & Immunology Unit, Hospital Fátima, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Ignacio García-Núñez
- Pneumokal Research Institute, S.L. 29680 Estepona, Málaga, Spain.,Allergology & Pneumology Department, Hospital Quirónsalud Campo de Gibraltar, 11379 Palmones, Los Barrios, Cádiz, Spain
| | | | - Juan A Martínez-Tadeo
- University Hospital Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, 38010 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | | | - José L Justicia
- Allergy Therapeutics Ibérica, 08970 Sant Joan Despí, Barcelona, Spain
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13
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Human sleep consolidates allergic responses conditioned to the environmental context of an allergen exposure. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:10983-10988. [PMID: 32366650 PMCID: PMC7245114 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1920564117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Allergies are highly prevalent, and allergic responses can be triggered even in the absence of allergens due to Pavlovian conditioning to a specific cue. Here we show in humans suffering from allergic rhinitis that merely reencountering the environmental context in which an allergen was administered a week earlier is sufficient to trigger an allergic response-but only if participants had slept after allergen exposure. This context-conditioning effect was entirely absent when participants stayed awake the night after allergen exposure or were tested in a different context. Unlike in context conditioning, cue conditioning (to an odor stimulus) occurred independently of sleep, a differential pattern that is likewise observed for conditioning in the behavioral domain. Our findings provide evidence that allergic responses can be conditioned to contextual information alone, even after only a single-trial conditioning procedure, and that sleep is necessary to consolidate this rapidly acquired maladaptive response. The results unravel a mechanism that could explain part of the strong psychological impact on allergic responses.
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14
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Pfaar O, Gerth van Wijk R, Klimek L, Bousquet J, Creticos PS. Clinical trials in allergen immunotherapy in the age group of children and adolescents: current concepts and future needs. Clin Transl Allergy 2020; 10:11. [PMID: 32346471 PMCID: PMC7181492 DOI: 10.1186/s13601-020-00314-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only treatment option available for allergic patients with disease-modifying intention. Both efficacy and safety has been demonstrated for multiple trials in children, adolescents and adults. Though regulatory requirements for marketing authorization have been clearly outlined and an increasing number of high quality trials has been initiated, multiple concepts and details in study design may be further elaborated, harmonized and improved. An international group of experts in the field of AIT has thoroughly reviewed and discussed current concepts and provided an outlook on further improvement especially in the age group of children and adolescents. Emphasis of the group's discussion as a basis for this article was put on (i) the regulatory background of marketing authorization of AIT products including the 'Pediatric Investigational Plan', (ii) patient reported outcomes and endpoints in AIT trials, (iii) considerations regarding the 'minimal clinically important difference', (iv) the role of placebo effects in AIT clinical trials and clinical routine and (v) the potential of mobile Health for future development of AIT. Current concepts in AIT have been optimized throughout the recent decades, but there remains room for improvement e.g., in the topics outlined in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Pfaar
- 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section of Rhinology and Allergy, University Hospital Marburg, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - R Gerth van Wijk
- 2Section of Allergology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - L Klimek
- Center for Rhinology and Allergology, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - J Bousquet
- MACVIA-France, Contre les Maladies Chroniques pour un Vieillissement Actif en France, European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing Reference Site, Montpellier, France.,5INSERM U 1168, VIMA: Ageing and Chronic Diseases Epidemiological and Public Health Approaches, Villejuif, France, Universite Versailles St-Quentin-en-Yvelines, UMR-S 1168, Montigny le Bretonneux, France
| | - P S Creticos
- 6Division of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224 USA.,Creticos Research Group, Crownsville, MD 21032 USA
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15
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Voskamp AL, Kormelink TG, van Wijk RG, Hiemstra PS, Taube C, de Jong EC, Smits HH. Modulating local airway immune responses to treat allergic asthma: lessons from experimental models and human studies. Semin Immunopathol 2020; 42:95-110. [PMID: 32020335 PMCID: PMC7066288 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-020-00782-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
With asthma affecting over 300 million individuals world-wide and estimated to affect 400 million by 2025, developing effective, long-lasting therapeutics is essential. Allergic asthma, where Th2-type immunity plays a central role, represents 90% of child and 50% of adult asthma cases. Research based largely on animal models of allergic disease have led to the generation of a novel class of drugs, so-called biologicals, that target essential components of Th2-type inflammation. Although highly efficient in subclasses of patients, these biologicals and other existing medication only target the symptomatic stage of asthma and when therapy is ceased, a flare-up of the disease is often observed. Therefore, it is suggested to target earlier stages in the inflammatory cascade underlying allergic airway inflammation and to focus on changing and redirecting the initiation of type 2 inflammatory responses against allergens and certain viral agents. This focus on upstream aspects of innate immunity that drive development of Th2-type immunity is expected to have longer-lasting and disease-modifying effects, and may potentially lead to a cure for asthma. This review highlights the current understanding of the contribution of local innate immune elements in the development and maintenance of inflammatory airway responses and discusses available leads for successful targeting of those pathways for future therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Voskamp
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - T Groot Kormelink
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R Gerth van Wijk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Allergology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - P S Hiemstra
- Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - C Taube
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital Essen - Ruhrklinik, Essen, Germany
| | - E C de Jong
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hermelijn H Smits
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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16
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Pfaar O, Agache I, Blay F, Bonini S, Chaker AM, Durham SR, Gawlik R, Hellings PW, Jutel M, Kleine‐Tebbe J, Klimek L, Kopp MV, Nandy A, Rabin RL, Ree R, Renz H, Roberts G, Salapatek A, Schmidt‐Weber CB, Shamji MH, Sturm GJ, Virchow JC, Wahn U, Willers C, Zieglmayer P, Akdis CA. Perspectives in allergen immunotherapy: 2019 and beyond. Allergy 2019; 74 Suppl 108:3-25. [PMID: 31872476 DOI: 10.1111/all.14077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The seventh "Future of the Allergists and Specific Immunotherapy (FASIT)" workshop held in 2019 provided a platform for global experts from academia, allergy clinics, regulatory authorities and industry to review current developments in the field of allergen immunotherapy (AIT). Key domains of the meeting included the following: (a) Biomarkers for AIT and allergic asthma; (b) visions for the future of AIT; (c) progress and data for AIT in asthma and the updates of GINA and EAACI Asthma Guidelines (separated for house dust mite SCIT, SLIT tablets and SLIT drops; patient populations) including a review of clinically relevant endpoints in AIT studies in asthma; (d) regulatory prerequisites such as the "Therapy Allergen Ordinance" in Germany; (e) optimization of trial design in AIT clinical research; (f) challenges planning and conducting phase III (field) studies and the future role of Allergen Exposure Chambers (AEC) in AIT product development from the regulatory point of view. We report a summary of panel discussions of all six domains and highlight unmet needs and possible solutions for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Pfaar
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Section of Rhinology and Allergy University Hospital Marburg Philipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Ioana Agache
- Faculty of Medicine Transylvania University Brasov Romania
| | - Frédéric Blay
- Pneumology Department New Civil Hospital Strasbourg‐Cedex France
| | - Sergio Bonini
- Institute of Translational Medicine Italian National Research Council Rome Italy
| | - Adam M. Chaker
- Department of Otolaryngology and Center of Allergy and Environment TUM School of Medicine Technical University of Munich Munich Germany
| | - Stephen R. Durham
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology National Heart and Lung Institute Imperial College London London UK
- MRC & Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma London UK
| | - Radoslaw Gawlik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Allergology and Clinical Immunology Silesian University of Medicine Katowice Poland
| | - Peter W. Hellings
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology University Hospitals of Leuven Leuven Belgium
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Academic Medical Center University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience University of Ghent Ghent Belgium
| | - Marek Jutel
- Department of Clinical Immunology Wroclaw Medical University Wroclaw Poland
- All‐Med Medical Research Institute Wroclaw Poland
| | - Jörg Kleine‐Tebbe
- Allergy & Asthma Center Westend Outpatient Clinic and Clinical Research Center Berlin Germany
| | - Ludger Klimek
- Center for Rhinology and Allergology Wiesbaden Germany
| | - Matthias V. Kopp
- Department of Pediatric Allergy and Pulmonology University of Luebeck Luebeck Germany
- Member of the Deutsches Zentrum für Lungenforschung (DZL) Airway Research Center North (ARCN) Luebeck Germany
| | - Andreas Nandy
- Research & Development Allergopharma GmbH & Co. KG Reinbek Germany
| | - Ronald L. Rabin
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research US Food and Drug Administration Silver Spring MD USA
| | - Ronald Ree
- Departments of Experimental Immunology and of Otorhinolaryngology Amsterdam University Medical Centers Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Harald Renz
- Department Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiochemistry Molecular Diagnostics University Giessen and Philipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Graham Roberts
- Paediatric Allergy and Respiratory Medicine University of Southampton Southampton UK
- David Hide Asthma and Allergy Centre St Mary’s Hospital Isle of Wight UK
| | | | - Carsten B. Schmidt‐Weber
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM) Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Center Munich Munich Germany
- Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) Lübeck Germany
| | - Mohamed H. Shamji
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology National Heart and Lung Institute Imperial College London London UK
- MRC & Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma London UK
| | - Gunter J. Sturm
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology Medical University of Graz Graz Austria
- Allergy Outpatient Clinic Reumannplatz Vienna Austria
| | - J. Christian Virchow
- Department Pulmonology & Interdisciplinary Intensive Care Medicine Rostock University Medical Center Rostock Germany
| | - Ulrich Wahn
- Department for Pediatric Pneumology and Immunology Charité Medical University Berlin Germany
| | | | | | - Cezmi A. Akdis
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF) University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
- Christine‐Kühne‐Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK‐CARE) Davos Switzerland
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17
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Chen S, Zheng Y, Chen B, Zhong H, Liao F, Wang L, Hui SF, Lai X. Clinical Response to Subcutaneous Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus Immunotherapy in Children with Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Is Independent of Sensitization to Blomia tropicalis Allergens. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2018; 178:201-210. [PMID: 30544116 DOI: 10.1159/000494389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP) and Blomia tropicalis (BT) are the dominant house dust mites inducing allergic diseases in tropical climates. It is not known whether the efficacy of DP subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is similar in patients sensitized to DP alone or to both DP and BT. METHOD Ninety-five children (5-17 years old) affected by asthma with rhinitis and sensitized to both DP and BT received 3 years of DP-SCIT. Clinical symptom and medication scores, serum-specific IgE and IgG4 were evaluated during DP-SCIT. Patients were grouped based on DP and BT co-sensitization or cross-reactivity, according to positive or negative IgE to BT major allergen (BTMA). RESULTS After 3 years of DP-SCIT, all patients had significant reductions in symptoms and medication use. In all, 65% of the patients were free of asthma symptoms and medication use; in addition, 3% was free of rhinitis symptoms. FEV1 in all patients were greater than 95% of predicted. DP-SCIT induced significant increases in DP- and BT-specific IgG4. In 50% of patients, DP-specific IgG4 increased more than 67-fold. BT-specific IgG4 increased more than 2.5 fold. A moderate correlation (r = 0.48-0.61, p < 0.01) was found between specific IgE against DP and BT in the BTMA- group (n = 34) before and after DP-SCIT, whereas no correlation was found in the BTMA+ group (n = 61). The 2 BTMA groups responded similarly with regard to clinical improvement and increase in specific IgG4 to both DP and BT. No safety finding of concern were reported in either group. CONCLUSION DP-SCIT may be of clinical benefit to patients with IgE sensitizations to both DP and BT. DP-SCIT induces IgG4 that cross-react with BT allergens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Chen
- Immunotherapy Center of Paediatric Asthma, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Yiwu Zheng
- Scientific Affairs, ALK A/S, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bing Chen
- Immunotherapy Center of Paediatric Asthma, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, China
| | | | - Feng Liao
- Immunotherapy Center of Paediatric Asthma, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Immunotherapy Center of Paediatric Asthma, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Siu Fu Hui
- Scientific Affairs, ALK A/S, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuxin Lai
- Scientific Affairs, ALK A/S, Guangzhou, China,
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18
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Abramowicz M, Kruszewski J, Chciałowski A. Evaluation of the placebo effect in the trials of allergen immunotherapy effectiveness: meta-analysis of randomized and placebo-controlled trials. Postepy Dermatol Alergol 2018; 35:620-625. [PMID: 30618532 PMCID: PMC6320494 DOI: 10.5114/ada.2018.77614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The total effect of the method of treatment is composed of its specific activity depending on its impact on the disease mechanism and the non-specific activity, i.e. the placebo effect. Many methods of treatment make use of such an inflammatory action. AIM To assess the placebo effect in the overall result of the specific immunotherapy and the analysis of its dependence on the type of specific immunotherapy, the disease, the age of a patient, the type of allergy, indicators used (objective and subjective), in patients with allergic diseases - asthma, allergic rhinitis and/or allergic conjunctivitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS A systematic review of Medline database was conducted using the EntrezPubmed search engine to find randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of specific immunotherapy in the treatment of asthma, allergic rhinitis and/or allergic conjunctivitis. After determining the contribution of the placebo effect for each of the test subjects, the calculation involved the average share of the placebo effect depending on the type of specific immunotherapy used, the type of disease, the age of the test subject, the type of allergy and the used measures of their effectiveness. RESULTS The share of the placebo effect in the overall specific immunotherapy effect amounted to 39% and was comparable in the analyzed disease entities. A significantly higher share (p < 0.01) of 68% of the placebo effect in adult patients treated with sublingual immunotherapy vs. 29% in adult patients treated with subcutaneous immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Abramowicz
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Allergology, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jerzy Kruszewski
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Allergology, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Andrzej Chciałowski
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Allergology, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
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19
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Smits RM, Veldhuijzen DS, Wulffraat NM, Evers AWM. The role of placebo effects in immune-related conditions: mechanisms and clinical considerations. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2018; 14:761-770. [DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2018.1516144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rosanne M. Smits
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department Pediatric Rheumatology and Immunolgy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dieuwke S. Veldhuijzen
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nico M. Wulffraat
- Department Pediatric Rheumatology and Immunolgy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea W. M. Evers
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Worm M, Higenbottam T, Pfaar O, Mösges R, Aberer W, Gunawardena K, Wessiepe D, Lee D, Kramer MF, Skinner M, Lees B, Zielen S. Randomized controlled trials define shape of dose response for Pollinex Quattro Birch allergoid immunotherapy. Allergy 2018; 73:1812-1822. [PMID: 29779247 PMCID: PMC6175210 DOI: 10.1111/all.13478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Birch Allergoid, Tyrosine Adsorbate, Monophosphoryl Lipid A (POLLINEX® Quattro Plus 1.0 ml Birch 100%) is an effective, well-tolerated short course subcutaneous immunotherapy. We performed 2 phase II studies to determine its optimal cumulative dose. METHODS The studies were conducted in Germany, Austria and Poland (EudraCT numbers: 2012-004336-28 PQBirch203 and 2015-000984-15 PQBirch204) using a wide range of cumulative doses. In both studies, subjects were administered 6 therapy injections weekly outside the pollen season. Conjunctival Provocation Tests were performed at screening, baseline and 3-4 weeks after completing treatment, to quantify the reduction in Total Symptom Scores (as the primary endpoint) with each cumulative dose. Multiple Comparison Procedure and Modeling analysis was used to test for the dose response, shape of the curve and estimation of the median effective dose (ED50 ), a measure of potency. RESULTS Statistically significant dose responses (P < .01 & .001) were seen, respectively. The highest cumulative dose in PQBirch204 (27 300 standardized units [SU]) approached a plateau. Potency of the PQBirch was demonstrated by an ED50 2723 SU, just over half the current dose. Prevalence of treatment-emergent adverse events was similar for active doses, most being short-lived and mild. Compliance was over 85% in all groups. CONCLUSION Increasing the cumulative dose of PQBirch 5.5-fold from 5100 to 27 300 SU achieved an absolute point difference from placebo of 1.91, a relative difference 32.3% and an increase in efficacy of 50%, without compromising safety. The cumulative dose response was confirmed to be curvilinear in shape.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Worm
- Department Campus Charité Mitte; Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Berlin Germany
| | | | - O. Pfaar
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery; University of Medicine, Mannheim, Germany; Medical Faculty Mannheim; Heidelberg University; Mannheim Germany
- Centre for Rhinology and Allergology; Wiesbaden Germany
| | - R. Mösges
- Hospital of the University of Cologne; Cologne Germany
| | - W. Aberer
- University Hospital Clinic; Graz Austria
| | | | - D. Wessiepe
- Metronomia Clinical Research GmbH; Muenchen Germany
| | - D. Lee
- Bencard Allergie; München Germany
| | | | | | - B. Lees
- Allergy Therapeutics; Worthing UK
| | - S. Zielen
- Clinic for Child and Adolescent Medicine, Allergology, Pneumonology and Cystic Fibrosis; Goethe University Frankfurt am Main; Frankfurt Germany
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21
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Frew AJ, Pfaar O. Placebo effects in allergen immunotherapy: an experts’ opinion. ALLERGO JOURNAL 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s15007-018-1689-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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22
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Positive and negative AIT trials: What makes the difference? ALLERGO JOURNAL 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s15007-018-1690-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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23
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Mechanism of Synthetic Peptide Immuno-Regulatory Epitopes and Their Clinical Efficacy in the Treatment of Allergic Disease. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN ALLERGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s40521-018-0177-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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24
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Inuo C, Ando H, Tanaka K, Nakajima Y, Tsuge I, Urisu A, Kondo Y. Long-term immunological effects of Japanese cedar pollen-based subcutaneous immunotherapy. Allergol Int 2018; 67:408-410. [PMID: 29198713 DOI: 10.1016/j.alit.2017.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chisato Inuo
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Second Teaching Hospital, Fujita Health University, Nagoya, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
| | - Hitoshi Ando
- Department of Pediatrics, Toyokawa City Hospital, Toyokawa, Japan
| | - Kenichi Tanaka
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Yoichi Nakajima
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Ikuya Tsuge
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Atsuo Urisu
- Department of Pediatrics, Second Teaching Hospital, Fujita Health University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuto Kondo
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
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25
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Molnár V, Nagy A, Tamási L, Gálffy G, Böcskei R, Bikov A, Czaller I, Csoma Z, Krasznai M, Csáki C, Zsigmond G, Csontos Z, Kurucz A, Kurucz E, Fábos B, Bálint BL, Sasvári-Székely M, Székely A, Kótyuk E, Kozma GT, Cserta G, Farkas A, Gál Z, Gézsi A, Millinghoffer A, Antal P, Szalai C. From genomes to diaries: a 3-year prospective, real-life study of ragweed-specific sublingual immunotherapy. Immunotherapy 2018; 9:1279-1294. [PMID: 29130793 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2017-0093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
During the last decades, the prevalence of allergy has dramatically increased. Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only currently available medical intervention that has the potential to affect the natural course of the disease, but there are still many questions and unmet needs hindering its widespread use to fulfill its treatment potential and maximize its benefits for the society. To provide a comprehensive phenome-wide overview in sublingual immunotherapy, using ragweed allergy as a target, we planned and carried out a longitudinal, prospective, observational, open-label study (DesensIT). In this paper we present challenges of using deep and comprehensive phenotypes embracing biological, clinical and patient-reported outcomes in allergen-specific immunotherapy and show how we designed the DesensIT project to optimize data collection, processing and evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Molnár
- Csertex Research Laboratory, 1037 Budapest, Bécsi út 224, Hungary
| | - Adrienne Nagy
- Heim Pal Children Hospital, 1089 Budapest, Üllői út 86, Hungary
| | - Lilla Tamási
- Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, 1125 Budapest, Diós Árok 1C, Hungary
| | - Gabriella Gálffy
- Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, 1125 Budapest, Diós Árok 1C, Hungary
| | - Renáta Böcskei
- Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, 1125 Budapest, Diós Árok 1C, Hungary
| | - András Bikov
- Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, 1125 Budapest, Diós Árok 1C, Hungary
| | - Ibolya Czaller
- Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, 1125 Budapest, Diós Árok 1C, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Csoma
- National Korányi Institute of TB & Pulmonology, 1121 Budapest, Pihenő út 1, Hungary
| | - Magdolna Krasznai
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Semmelweis University, Head & Neck Surgery, 1083 Budapest, Szigony u. 36, Hungary
| | - Csilla Csáki
- Svábhegyi Healing Facility, 1037 Budapest, Bokor u. 17, Hungary
| | | | - Zoltán Csontos
- Debrecen Town Pulmonary Care, 4032 Debrecen Jerikó u. 21, Hungary
| | - Anikó Kurucz
- Debrecen Town Pulmonary Care, 4032 Debrecen Jerikó u. 21, Hungary
| | - Edina Kurucz
- Debrecen Town Pulmonary Care, 4032 Debrecen Jerikó u. 21, Hungary
| | - Beáta Fábos
- Somogy County Kaposi Mór Teaching Hospital, 7400 Kaposvár Tallián Gyula u. 20-32, Hungary
| | - Bálint L Bálint
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Genomic Medicine & Bioinformatic Core Facility, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt 98, Hungary
| | - Mária Sasvári-Székely
- Institute of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology & Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, Hungary
| | - Anna Székely
- Institute of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1064 Budapest, Izabella utca 46, Hungary
| | - Eszter Kótyuk
- Institute of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1064 Budapest, Izabella utca 46, Hungary
| | - Gergely T Kozma
- Csertex Research Laboratory, 1037 Budapest, Bécsi út 224, Hungary
| | - Gábor Cserta
- Csertex Research Laboratory, 1037 Budapest, Bécsi út 224, Hungary
| | - Anita Farkas
- Csertex Research Laboratory, 1037 Budapest, Bécsi út 224, Hungary
| | - Zsófia Gál
- Department of Genetics, Cell- & Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Nagyvárad tér 4, Hungary
| | - András Gézsi
- Department of Genetics, Cell- & Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Nagyvárad tér 4, Hungary
| | - András Millinghoffer
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Genomic Medicine & Bioinformatic Core Facility, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt 98, Hungary.,Department of Measurement & Information Systems, University of Technology & Economics, 1177 Budapest, Magyar Tudósok krt. 2/I, Hungary
| | - Péter Antal
- Department of Measurement & Information Systems, University of Technology & Economics, 1177 Budapest, Magyar Tudósok krt. 2/I, Hungary
| | - Csaba Szalai
- Csertex Research Laboratory, 1037 Budapest, Bécsi út 224, Hungary.,Heim Pal Children Hospital, 1089 Budapest, Üllői út 86, Hungary.,Department of Genetics, Cell- & Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Nagyvárad tér 4, Hungary
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26
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Placebo effects in allergen immunotherapy: an experts' opinion. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 27:162-166. [PMID: 30221123 PMCID: PMC6132371 DOI: 10.1007/s40629-018-0065-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Placebo effects are common in medicine. Randomised clinical trials help us to understand their magnitude in different therapies. There are particular problems with placebo effects in allergen immunotherapy (AIT) as it is difficult to blind the active treatment and the endpoints are largely subjective. This may explain why large placebo effects are often found in AIT trials. Patients receiving open label AIT get the benefit of the active and placebo components but it can be difficult to say how much benefit is due to the active component. The use of active placebos has been proposed but brings its own problems (ethical and scientific). An EAACI Task Force has been established to address these issues. Here we review the current literature on the placebo effect in general, with a special focus on AIT trials, and indicate what we believe to be important considerations and unmet needs in AIT trial design.
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27
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Positive and negative AIT trials: What makes the difference? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 27:167-172. [PMID: 30221124 PMCID: PMC6132372 DOI: 10.1007/s40629-018-0058-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Background Allergen immunotherapy has proven to be efficacious in allergic rhinitis and asthma. However, results from randomised clinical trials may vary substantially. Clinical trials may unexpectedly fail. The purpose of this review is to discuss the possible factors that may contribute to a successful or unsuccessful study. Methods Descriptive review exploring the possible causes of negative outcomes in allergen immunotherapy trials. Results A series of factors may lead to negative results. Among of these are underpowering of the study, low allergen content in tested extracts, insufficient allergen exposure during monitoring and recruitment of inappropriate patients. In addition, the choice of the primary endpoint may be critical. Discussion A clinical trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of an agent. However, studies with potential effective compounds may fail because of methodical issues. Sometimes, they are the cause of discrepancies between successful phase II and unsuccessful phase III trials. To understand more about failure of studies, investigators and editors should be encouraged to publish negative trials.
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28
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Cho SW, Han DH, Kim JW, Kim DY, Rhee CS. House dust mite sublingual immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis. Immunotherapy 2018; 10:567-578. [PMID: 29562802 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2018-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Allergen immunotherapy has been shown to be effective in treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is generally recommended for treating seasonal AR in adults and children; however, questions remain in regard to AR treatment in relation to house dust mite (HDM). Due to heterogeneous formulations, different outcome reporting systems, and the lack of a standardized dose, HDM SLITs have not been standardized in published studies. Nevertheless, studies continuously report positive effects of HDM SLIT in AR, and HDM SLIT remains a treatment option for patients with HDM-induced allergic asthma that frequently co-exists with AR. Therefore, it is likely that HDM SLIT usage will increase. This review will focus on HDM SLIT in AR exclusively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Woo Cho
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82 Gumi-ro 173beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam 13620, Korea
| | - Doo Hee Han
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Jeong-Whun Kim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82 Gumi-ro 173beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam 13620, Korea
| | - Dong-Young Kim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Chae-Seo Rhee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82 Gumi-ro 173beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam 13620, Korea.,Research Center for Sensory Organs, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul 03080, Korea.,Institute of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul 03080, Korea
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29
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[Placebo effect in clinical trials with allergen-specific immunotherapy with inhalant allergens]. Hautarzt 2017; 68:297-306. [PMID: 28194483 DOI: 10.1007/s00105-017-3937-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Placebo effects play an important role in the treatment of allergic diseases. Therefore, in this study, we analysed the described effects of placebo in all double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials of allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) with inhalant allergens (birch, grass, house dust mites) listed in the tables (updated July 2016) attached to the German S2k guideline on allergen-specific immunotherapy in IgE-mediated allergic diseases. The most common placebo consisted of verum without allergen, but when the subcutaneous route was used, histamine was sometimes added. From the 33 studies analysed no conclusions could be drawn regarding the pure placebo effect. The symptom medication score (SMS) from an adequate baseline period was described in one single study. An untreated population was not included in any study. Indirect evidence points to substantial placebo effects in up to 77% of the subjects with respect to retrospective, subjective parameters. Well-known factors influencing the placebo effect such as age, gender, application route/composition of the placebo, individual and cultural differences, severity of symptoms at the beginning and the probability of receiving verum have not been addressed regarding ASIT and could not be estimated from available data. Taken together regarding ASIT the placebo effect has been investigated inadequately. In spite of significant expenditure of time and costs future ASIT studies should include assessment of the SMS in an adequate baseline period and preferably include an untreated trial arm. A better understanding of placebo effects in ASIT trials will improve the design of clinical trials and the assessment of therapeutic effects.
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30
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The Role of Synthetic Peptide Immuno-Regulatory Epitope (SPIRE) in the Treatment of Allergic Disease. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN ALLERGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s40521-017-0115-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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31
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Update on Biomarkers to Predict Responders to Allergen Immunotherapy. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN ALLERGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s40521-017-0113-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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32
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Newell D, Lothe LR, Raven TJL. Contextually Aided Recovery (CARe): a scientific theory for innate healing. Chiropr Man Therap 2017; 25:6. [PMID: 28289539 PMCID: PMC5304402 DOI: 10.1186/s12998-017-0137-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The chiropractic profession emerged when scientific explanations for causes of health and disease were still in infancy and the co-existence of notions such as innate healing and vitalism were perhaps admissible within such a historical context. Notwithstanding, within the scientific culture of the 21st Century all healthcare paradigms require evidential support which in regard these early concepts are in large part, absent. Nevertheless, a large body of emerging scientific evidence supports the existence of innate healing phenomena that may explain a plethora of clinical outcomes observed during chiropractic care. However, in contrast to the notion that removing the putative subluxation constitutes the mechanism by which this healing is initiated, the evidentially supported explanation is one that invokes the impact of contextual factors inherent in the skilful care and authority of the healthcare provider. This perspective is presented here as the scientific model of Contextually Aided Recovery (CARe). MAIN BODY This paper contends that;Contextual effects are powerful and desirable and are triggered by contextual factors present in all therapeutic encounters including those encountered in chiropractic practice.These factors can elicit large clinical effects with substantive evidence supporting pain, immune and motor modulation.The compartmentalisation of specific and non-specific effects is a biologically and scientifically false dichotomy, erroneously invoked to de-legitimise treatment approaches that expertly construct contextual healing scenarios.The use of factors to construct contextual healing scenarios that maximise positive (placebo) and minimize negative (nocebo) effects is a skilful clinical art within the multimodal approach that describes modern chiropractic care and should be presented and defended as a legitimate component of orthodox healthcare Clinical improvement during chiropractic care, beyond any biologically specific treatment effects of manipulation and other modalities, may be largely understood considering contextual factors as described by a Contextually Aided Recovery (CARe) model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dave Newell
- Anglo European College of Chiropractic, Bournemouth, UK
| | - Lise R Lothe
- Kiropraktorene i Grimstad & Lillesand, Grimstad, Norway
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33
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Fritzsching B. Personalized Medicine in Allergic Asthma: At the Crossroads of Allergen Immunotherapy and "Biologicals". Front Pediatr 2017; 5:31. [PMID: 28261576 PMCID: PMC5313533 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2017.00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Major allergic disease can be viewed as clinical syndromes rather than discrete disease entities. Emerging evidence indicates that allergic asthma includes several disease phenotypes. Immunological deviation toward high T helper cell type 2 cytokine levels has been demonstrated for a subgroup of pediatric asthma patients, and now, several novel monoclonal antibodies have been approved for treatment of this subgroup as a stratified approach of "personalized" medicine in allergy. Introduction of component-based IgE testing before allergen immunotherapy (AIT), i.e., testing for IgE cross-reactivity before initiation of AIT, has also brought stratified medicine into allergy therapy. Improved responder criteria, which identify treatment-responders previous to therapy, might foster this stratification and even individualized AIT might have an impact for tailor-made therapy in the future. Furthermore, combining antibody-based treatment with AIT could help to establish more rapid AIT protocols even for allergens with a high risk of anaphylactic reactions. Efforts to advance such "personalized" medicine in pediatric allergy might be challenged by several issues including high costs for the health-care system, increasing complexity of allergy therapy, the need for physician allergy expertise, and furthermore ethical considerations and data safety issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Fritzsching
- Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy, Children's Doctor Service, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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34
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Zuberbier T, Abelson MB, Akdis CA, Bachert C, Berger U, Bindslev-Jensen C, Boelke G, Bousquet J, Canonica GW, Casale TB, Jutel M, Kowalski ML, Madonini E, Papadopoulos NG, Pfaar O, Sehlinger T, Bergmann KC. Validation of the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA 2LEN) chamber for trials in allergy: Innovation of a mobile allergen exposure chamber. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2016; 139:1158-1166. [PMID: 27697498 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2016.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Field clinical trials of pollen allergy are affected by the impossibility of predicting and determining individual allergen exposure because of many factors (eg, pollen season, atmospheric variations, pollutants, and lifestyles). Environmental exposure chambers, delivering a fixed amount of allergen in a controlled environmental setting, can overcome these limitations. Environmental exposure chambers are currently already used in phase 2, 3, and even 4 trials. Unfortunately, few chambers exist in the world, and this makes it difficult to perform large, multicenter clinical trials. The new Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN) mobile exposure chamber is a step forward because the mobility of the chamber makes it convenient for patients to participate in clinical testing. OBJECTIVE This study was made to validate the reproducibility, sensitivity, and specificity of the results obtained in the new GA2LEN chamber. METHODS Seventy-two adult patients (19-61 years old) with allergic rhinitis with or without asthma caused by grass pollen were included in different clinical validation tests. Total symptom scores and total nasal symptom scores were recorded at time zero (0) and every 10 minutes during exposures, along with nasal and respiratory parameters. RESULTS Exposure tests confirmed the reproducibility between subsequent runs and the sensitivity (P < .00001 vs patients exposed to placebo) and specificity (very low score in nonallergic subjects) in the GA2LEN chamber. No adverse reactions were recorded during the tests. CONCLUSIONS The mobility of the GA2LEN chamber provides a new, potentially effective, and safe way of generating reliable data in allergy multicenter clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten Zuberbier
- Comprehensive Allergy-Centre-Charité, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Member of Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN), Berlin, Germany.
| | - Mark B Abelson
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard University, Andover, Mass
| | - Cezmi A Akdis
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Claus Bachert
- Upper Airway Research Laboratory, Ghent University, and Division of ENT Diseases, Clintec, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm
| | - Uwe Berger
- Aerobiology and Pollen Information Research Unit, Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Carsten Bindslev-Jensen
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy Center, Odense Research Center for Anaphylaxis, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Georg Boelke
- Comprehensive Allergy-Centre-Charité, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Member of Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Giorgio Walter Canonica
- Allergy & Respiratory Diseases Clinic, DIMI University of Genoa, IRCCS AOU San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Thomas B Casale
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla
| | - Marek Jutel
- ALL-MED Medical Research Institute, Wroclaw 2, Department of Clinical Immunology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marek L Kowalski
- Department of Immunology, Rheumatology and Allergy, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | | | - Nikolaos G Papadopoulos
- Allergy Department, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, and the Division of Infection, Immunity & Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester
| | - Oliver Pfaar
- Center for Rhinology and Allergology, Wiesbaden, and the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | - Karl-Christian Bergmann
- Comprehensive Allergy-Centre-Charité, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Member of Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN), Berlin, Germany
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35
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Abstract
Biomarkers (BMKs) are biological parameters that can be measured to predict or monitor disease severity or treatment efficacy. The induction of regulatory dendritic cells (DCs) concomitantly with a downregulation of proallergic DC2s (ie, DCs supporting the differentiation of T-helper lymphocyte type 2 cells) in the blood of patients allergic to grass pollen has been correlated with the early onset of allergen immunotherapy efficacy. The combined use of omics technologies to compare biological samples from clinical responders and nonresponders is being implemented in the context of nonhypothesis-driven approaches. Such comprehensive "panoromic" strategies help identify completely novel candidate BMKs, to be subsequently validated as companion diagnostics in large-scale clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Moingeon
- Research and Development, Stallergenes SA, 6 Rue Alexis de Tocqueville, Antony Cedex 92183, France.
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36
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Pfaar O, Nell MJ, Boot JD, Versteeg SA, van Ree R, Roger A, Riechelmann H, Sperl A, Oude Elberink JNG, Diamant Z, Bachert C. A randomized, 5-arm dose finding study with a mite allergoid SCIT in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis patients. Allergy 2016; 71:967-76. [PMID: 26864207 DOI: 10.1111/all.12860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The safety and tolerability of a mite allergoid subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) product was previously established. The aim of this study (EudraCT number: 2011-000393-61) was to find the optimally safe and effective allergoid dose by evaluating several dosages in patients with house dust mite (HDM)-induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) using a titrated nasal provocation test (TNPT). METHODS In total, 290 adult ARC patients (148 females; 142 males) with established HDM allergy and with a positive TNPT were randomized to receive placebo or mite allergoid SCIT 6667, 20 000, 50 000 or 100 000 AUeq/ml for 12 months. Patients were updosed weekly, followed by monthly maintenance dosing. The primary study endpoint comprised the clinical response to TNPT after 12 months of treatment. Secondary endpoints included response to TNPT after 6 months, PNIF measurements, symptom and medication scores during the last 8 weeks of treatment, serum immunoglobulins and safety assessments. RESULTS After 12 months, a dose-response was observed showing statistically significant improvements in the TNPT with SCIT concentrations of ≥20 000 AUeq/ml, while no significantly different outcomes were reached after 6 months. Specific serum IgG and IgG4 levels were dose dependently increased. In the highest dose group, more treatment-emergent adverse events were observed compared with the lower dose groups. CONCLUSION In this mite allergoid SCIT dose finding study in HDM-induced ARC, concentrations of ≥20 000 AUeq/ml showed both immunological effects and clinical efficacy in the TNPT compared with placebo. The risk-benefit ratio favours 20 000 AUeq/ml and 50 000 AUeq/ml strengths for further clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. Pfaar
- Center for Rhinology and Allergology; Wiesbaden Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology; Head and Neck Surgery; Universitätsmedizin Mannheim; Medical Faculty Mannheim; Heidelberg University; Mannheim Germany
| | | | | | - S. A. Versteeg
- Experimental Immunology; Academic Medical Center; Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - R. van Ree
- Experimental Immunology; Academic Medical Center; Amsterdam The Netherlands
- Department of Otorhino-laryngology; Academic Medical Center; Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - A. Roger
- Unitat d'Allèrgia; Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol; Badalona Spain
| | - H. Riechelmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery; Medical University of Innsbruck; Innsbruck Austria
| | - A. Sperl
- Center for Rhinology and Allergology; Wiesbaden Germany
| | - J. N. G. Oude Elberink
- Department of Allergology; University Medical Center Groningen; University of Groningen; Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Z. Diamant
- Department of Respiratory Medicine & Allergology; Institute for Clinical Science; Skane University Hospital; Lund Sweden
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacology and Department of Gen Practice; University Medical Center Groningen; University Groningen; Groningen The Netherlands
| | - C. Bachert
- Upper Airways Research Laboratory; Ghent University; Ghent Belgium
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Despite that specific immunotherapy can boast being more than a century old, there is still skepticism about its real effectiveness, and therefore it is still used too little in clinical practice. The purpose of this review was to analyze the most recent articles in the literature to highlight scientific evidence for the proper use of allergen immunotherapy (AIT). RECENT FINDINGS In the near future, the concept of medicine for trials will have to be revised and in certain cases abandoned in favor of a personalized medicine, able to use a drug more targeted for the individual patient and not for the disease. SUMMARY For AIT, it will become increasingly important to use products designed properly, standardized and with a well documented effectiveness in clinical studies. We must overcome the disputes of subcutaneous immunotherapy versus sublingual immunotherapy, arrive at the concept of personalized medicine regarding AIT, framing in different phenotypes of asthma patients to use the optimal preparation for each particular patient.
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Schedlowski M, Enck P, Rief W, Bingel U. Neuro-Bio-Behavioral Mechanisms of Placebo and Nocebo Responses: Implications for Clinical Trials and Clinical Practice. Pharmacol Rev 2016; 67:697-730. [PMID: 26126649 DOI: 10.1124/pr.114.009423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The placebo effect has often been considered a nuisance in basic and particularly clinical research. This view has gradually changed in recent years due to deeper insight into the neuro-bio-behavioral mechanisms steering both the placebo and nocebo responses, the evil twin of placebo. For the neuroscientist, placebo and nocebo responses have evolved as indispensable tools to understand brain mechanisms that link cognitive and emotional factors with symptom perception as well as peripheral physiologic systems and end organ functioning. For the clinical investigator, better understanding of the mechanisms driving placebo and nocebo responses allow the control of these responses and thereby help to more precisely define the efficacy of a specific pharmacological intervention. Finally, in the clinical context, the systematic exploitation of these mechanisms will help to maximize placebo responses and minimize nocebo responses for the patient's benefit. In this review, we summarize and critically examine the neuro-bio-behavioral mechanisms underlying placebo and nocebo responses that are currently known in terms of different diseases and physiologic systems. We subsequently elaborate on the consequences of this knowledge for pharmacological treatments of patients and the implications for pharmacological research, the training of healthcare professionals, and for the health care system and future research strategies on placebo and nocebo responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Schedlowski
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology (M.S.) and Department of Neurology (U.B.), University Clinic Essen, Essen, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine VI, Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany (P.E.); and Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany (W.R.)
| | - Paul Enck
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology (M.S.) and Department of Neurology (U.B.), University Clinic Essen, Essen, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine VI, Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany (P.E.); and Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany (W.R.)
| | - Winfried Rief
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology (M.S.) and Department of Neurology (U.B.), University Clinic Essen, Essen, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine VI, Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany (P.E.); and Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany (W.R.)
| | - Ulrike Bingel
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology (M.S.) and Department of Neurology (U.B.), University Clinic Essen, Essen, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine VI, Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany (P.E.); and Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany (W.R.)
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Abstract
Careful selection of dominant T cell epitope peptides of major allergens that display degeneracy for binding to a wide array of MHC class II molecules allows induction of clinical and immunological tolerance to allergen in a refined treatment strategy. From the original concept of peptide-induced T cell anergy arising from in vitro studies, proof-of-concept murine models and flourishing human trials followed. Current randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials of mixtures of T cell-reactive short allergen peptides or long contiguous overlapping peptides are encouraging with intradermal administration into non-inflamed skin a preferred delivery. Definitive immunological mechanisms are yet to be resolved but specific anergy, Th2 cell deletion, immune deviation, and Treg induction seem implicated. Significant efficacy, particularly with short treatment courses, in a range of aeroallergen therapies (cat, house dust mite, grass pollen) with inconsequential non-systemic adverse events likely heralds a new class of therapeutic for allergy, Synthetic Peptide Immuno-Regulatory Epitopes (SPIRE).
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn E O'Hehir
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Sara R Prickett
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.
| | - Jennifer M Rolland
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Sola J, da Silva Ferreira JA, Dionicio Elera J, Plácido JL, Pereira C, Fonseca J, Panizo C, Inácio LF, Cancelleire N, Zubeldia Ortuño JM, Landeta A, Madariaga B, Martínez A. Timothy grass pollen therapeutic vaccine: optimal dose for subcutaneous immunotherapy. Immunotherapy 2016; 8:251-63. [PMID: 26760111 DOI: 10.2217/imt.15.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS To establish the optimal dose of Phleum pratense subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis with/without asthma. MATERIALS & METHODS One hundred and fifty-one patients were randomized to receive SCIT 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 or 4.0 skin-prick test units (SPT) or placebo. The primary end point was the variation in the concentration of Phleum pratense extract needed to produce a positive nasal provocation test from baseline (V0) to final visit (FV). RESULTS After 17 weeks, a dose-dependent trend was apparent in the concentration of P. pratense extract needed to produce a positive nasal provocation response. Systemic adverse reactions occurred with 3.2% of administered doses. Grade III (n = 2) and IV (n = 2) events were observed only at the two highest doses. CONCLUSION P. pratense depot SCIT showed signs of clinical and immunological efficacy by dose-dependently decreasing the allergen sensitization rate. Risk-benefit favored doses below 1.0 SPT units for confirmatory trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Sola
- Allergy Service, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - José Luís Plácido
- Imuno-Allergology Service, Centro Hospitalar de S. João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Celso Pereira
- Imuno-Allergology Service, Hospital da Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Fonseca
- Imuno-Allergology Service, CUF Porto Instituto e Hospital, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Carmen Panizo
- Allergy Service, Hospital Nuestra Señora del Prado, Talavera de la Reina, Spain
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Weimer K, Colloca L, Enck P. Age and sex as moderators of the placebo response – an evaluation of systematic reviews and meta-analyses across medicine. Gerontology 2015; 61:97-108. [PMID: 25427869 DOI: 10.1159/000365248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Predictors of the placebo response (PR) in randomized controlled trials (RCT) have been searched for ever since RCT have become the standard for testing novel therapies and age and gender are routinely documented data in all trials irrespective of the drug tested, its indication, and the primary and secondary end points chosen. To evaluate whether age and gender have been found to be reliable predictors of the PR across medical subspecialties, we extracted 75 systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and meta-regressions performed in major medical areas (neurology, psychiatry, internal medicine) known for high PR rates. The literature database used contains approximately 2,500 papers on various aspects of the genuine PR. These ‘meta-analyses’ were screened for statistical predictors of the PR across multiple RCT, including age and gender, but also other patient-based and design-based predictors of higher PR rates. Retrieved papers were sorted for areas and disease categories. Only 15 of the 75 analyses noted an effect of younger age to be associated with higher PR, and this was predominantly in psychiatric conditions but not in depression, and internal medicine but not in gastroenterology. Female gender was associated with higher PR in only 3 analyses. Among the patient-based predictors, the most frequently noted factor was lower symptom severity at baseline, and among the design- based factors, it was a randomization ratio that selected more patients to drugs than to placebo, more frequent study visits, and more recent trials that were associated with higher PR rates. While younger age may contribute to the PR in some conditions, sex does not. There is currently no evidence that the PR is different in the elderly. PR are, however, markedly influenced by the symptom severity at baseline, and by the likelihood of receiving active treatment in placebo- controlled trials.
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Prickett SR, Rolland JM, O'Hehir RE. Immunoregulatory T cell epitope peptides: the new frontier in allergy therapy. Clin Exp Allergy 2015; 45:1015-26. [PMID: 25900315 PMCID: PMC4654246 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has been practised since 1911 and remains the only therapy proven to modify the natural history of allergic diseases. Although efficacious in carefully selected individuals, the currently licensed whole allergen extracts retain the risk of IgE-mediated adverse events, including anaphylaxis and occasionally death. This together with the need for prolonged treatment regimens results in poor patient adherence. The central role of the T cell in orchestrating the immune response to allergen informs the choice of T cell targeted therapies for down-regulation of aberrant allergic responses. Carefully mapped short synthetic peptides that contain the dominant T cell epitopes of major allergens and bind to a diverse array of HLA class II alleles, can be delivered intradermally into non-inflamed skin to induce sustained clinical and immunological tolerance. The short peptides from allergenic proteins are unable to cross-link IgE and possess minimal inflammatory potential. Systematic progress has been made from in vitro human models of allergen T cell epitope-based peptide anergy in the early 1990s, through proof-of-concept murine allergy models and early human trials with longer peptides, to the current randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials with the potential new class of synthetic short immune-regulatory T cell epitope peptide therapies. Sustained efficacy with few adverse events is being reported for cat, house dust mite and grass pollen allergy after only a short course of treatment. Underlying immunological mechanisms remain to be fully delineated but anergy, deletion, immune deviation and Treg induction all seem contributory to successful outcomes, with changes in IgG4 apparently less important compared to conventional AIT. T cell epitope peptide therapy is promising a safe and effective new class of specific treatment for allergy, enabling wider application even for more severe allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Prickett
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - J M Rolland
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - R E O'Hehir
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
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Darragh M, Chang JWH, Booth RJ, Consedine NS. The placebo effect in inflammatory skin reactions: the influence of verbal suggestion on itch and weal size. J Psychosom Res 2015; 78:489-494. [PMID: 25649275 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2015.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Revised: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate suggestion-induced placebo effects in inflammatory skin reactions. METHODS A healthy sample of volunteers (N = 48) attended two laboratory sessions. In each, a local short term inflammatory skin reaction was induced with histamine. Participants were told that one session was a control session and the other was a treatment session in which an antihistamine cream would be applied to the arm to reduce the size of the weal and the experience of itch. Inert aqueous cream was applied in both sessions. Participants were randomly allocated to undergo either the control or the treatment session first. RESULTS The placebo manipulation successfully reduced self-reported itch from the control to the placebo treatment session, but no placebo effect was demonstrated in weal size. Order effects were observed such that only those who underwent control procedures first had a smaller weal in the placebo treatment session as compared to the control session. The same order effect was seen for reported itch at one minute post histamine administration, but this disappeared at the three and five minute measures. CONCLUSION Findings suggest that explicit verbal suggestion can reduce the experience of itch. In addition to conscious awareness, a concrete representation of the suggested changes gained from prior experience to the stimulus may be an important component of placebo effects on inflammatory skin reactions.
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Efficacy of Sublingual Immunotherapy with Dermatophagoides farinae Extract in Monosensitized and Polysensitized Patients with Allergic Rhinitis: Clinical Observation and Analysis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:187620. [PMID: 26000283 PMCID: PMC4426909 DOI: 10.1155/2015/187620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Revised: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
AIM To investigate differences in the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy with Dermatophagoides farinae drops in monosensitized and polysensitized allergic rhinitis patients. METHODS The patients enrolled in the study were treated for more than one year by sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) using Dermatophagoides farinae drops and were divided into a monosensitized group (n = 20) and a polysensitized group (n = 30). Total nasal symptom scores of patients before and after SLIT were analyzed to evaluate the curative effect. The phylogenetic tree of dust mite allergens as well as other allergens that were tested by skin prick test was constructed to help the analysis. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the efficacy of SLIT between dust mite monosensitized and polysensitized patients. CONCLUSIONS Both dust mite monosensitized and polysensitized patients could be cured by SLIT using Dermatophagoides farinae drops. This study provides a reference for the selection of allergens to be used in immunotherapy for polysensitized AR patients.
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Allergic Sensitization and Rhinitis in Children: What Is New? CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN ALLERGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s40521-015-0044-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Katotomichelakis M, Riga M, Tripsianis G, Balatsouras D, Kourousis C, Danielides G, Giotakis E, Danielides V. Predictors of quality of life improvement in allergic rhinitis patients after sublingual immunotherapy. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2014; 124:430-6. [PMID: 25539660 DOI: 10.1177/0003489414565001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has been described as a significant intervention in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). However, factors that may predict treatment outcomes with respect to quality of life (QoL) results and mainly the role of olfactory function are still being underestimated. In this study, we investigated determinants that best predict treatment outcomes for QoL, exploring mainly the role of olfaction. METHODS One hundred forty-five patients following SLIT, 45 placebo-controls, and 48 healthy subjects were studied. Olfactory function was objectively evaluated using "Sniffin' Sticks" test pre- and post-cessation of SLIT. Three categories of validated QoL questionnaires were filled out by all subjects: questionnaire specific for olfaction (Questionnaire of Olfactory Deficits), questionnaires for assessing psychology (Beck Depression Inventory, Zung Depression Scale, State & Trait Anxiety Inventory), general Short Form-36 health survey. RESULTS Statistically significant improvement of olfactory function by 11.1% and of all QoL questionnaires results (all P<.001) was observed on final evaluation. Anosmia, asthma history, and the severity of symptoms-expressed by the Total Symptoms Score-were proven independent determinants of clinically significant improvement in patients' QoL. CONCLUSIONS Several factors were found that may predict QoL outcomes in AR patients following SLIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Katotomichelakis
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Maria Riga
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Gregory Tripsianis
- Department of Statistics, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Balatsouras
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Christos Kourousis
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Gerasimos Danielides
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Evangelos Giotakis
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Städtisches Klinikum Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Vassilios Danielides
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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Patient-reported outcomes and quality-of-life questionnaires in the assessment of rhinoconjunctivitis in childhood. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2014; 14:192-9. [PMID: 24781917 DOI: 10.1097/aci.0000000000000062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Rhinoconjunctivitis, and especially allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) are increasing in prevalence, progressively affecting the well being of more and more adults and children. Clinical trials using allergen immunotherapy (AIT), the sole causal treatment of allergies, are being conducted, but discussions on optimal patient-related outcomes (PROs) are still ongoing. RECENT FINDINGS Almost all publications discussing PROs relate to adults. The authors comment on the importance of broader PROs when assessing the results of AIT trials, as focusing on only nasal symptom improvement and medication reduction does not capture the full benefit of AIT. Such intervention also improves comorbid allergic diseases and general well being. In studies on rhinoconjunctivitis in children, using medical treatment or immunotherapy published between November 2012 - February 2014 nasal symptom (and medication) scores were primary outcomes in 18 of 20 trials. Only two trials applied quality-of-life questionnaires. SUMMARY Clinical trials conducted in children with ARC should be interpreted with caution, as most currently used PROs give a restricted view, by not considering disease manifestations beyond nasal/ocular symptoms. To correctly estimate the full benefit of AIT in pediatric patients with ARC, broader PROs should be investigated, including disease control and quality of health.
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Passalacqua G. Recommendations for appropriate sublingual immunotherapy clinical trials. World Allergy Organ J 2014; 7:21. [PMID: 25309678 PMCID: PMC4192398 DOI: 10.1186/1939-4551-7-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Sublingual immunotherapy is currently considered a viable alternative to the subcutaneous route. The body of evidence of its efficacy is based on the results of 77 clinical trials and 7 meta-analyses, that have been published so far. Nonetheless, the experimental evidence is partially weak due to the large heterogeneity of studies, namely: doses, regimens, patient selection, duration of treatment, outcomes and reporting. In addition, it is virtually impossible to compare the potency of extracts produced by different manufacturers. Also, there is large variability in reporting and in the classification of adverse events, either systemic or local, so that only a rough estimate can be provided. Considering all these aspects, efforts are needed to harmonize the methodology, outcome measures and reporting of SLIT clinical trials, to achieve the ability of comparing the results of various studies. International societies and the World Allergy Organization have recently provided general recommendations on how to design and conduct trials which can provide more interpretable and homogeneous data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Passalacqua
- Allergy and Respiratory Diseases, IRCCS S.Martino Hospital – IST – University of Genoa, L.go R Benzi 10, Padiglione Maragliano, 16132 Genoa Italy
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Sölle A, Bartholomäus T, Worm M, Klinger R. How to Psychologically Minimize Scratching Impulses. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR PSYCHOLOGIE-JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2014. [DOI: 10.1027/2151-2604/a000183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Research in recent years, especially in the analgesic field, has intensively studied the placebo effect and its mechanisms. It has been shown that physical complaints can be efficiently reduced via learning and cognitive processes (conditioning and expectancies). However, despite evidence demonstrating a large variety of physiological similarities between pain and itch, the possible transfer of the analgesic placebo model to itch has not yet been widely discussed in research. This review therefore aims at highlighting potential transfers of placebo mechanisms to itch processes by demonstrating the therapeutic issues in pharmacological treatments for pruritus on a physiological basis and by discussing the impact of psychological mechanisms and psychological factors influencing itch sensations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane Sölle
- Outpatient Clinic of Behavior Therapy, Department of Psychology, University of Hamburg, Germany
| | - Theresa Bartholomäus
- Hospital for Dermatology, Venereology und Allergology, Allergy Center, Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Margitta Worm
- Hospital for Dermatology, Venereology und Allergology, Allergy Center, Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Regine Klinger
- Outpatient Clinic of Behavior Therapy, Department of Psychology, University of Hamburg, Germany
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