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Nelson HS, Sowers T, Plunkett G, Nolte H, Rance K. The Art of Dosing for Subcutaneous Immunotherapy in North America. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2024; 12:13-22. [PMID: 37385447 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2023.06.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is a long-established treatment option for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Proper dosing of the allergens is critical for the efficacy and safety of SCIT. Of the hundreds of liquid allergen extracts in the United States, effective and well-tolerated SCIT dosing has only been established for a small number. Thus, SCIT dosing remains largely empiric and continues to be, by necessity, an art. To highlight the complexity of SCIT dosing, this review summarizes the historical and current landscape of U.S. allergen extracts, differences among U.S. and European allergen extracts, allergen selection for SCIT, considerations for compounding of allergen extract mixtures, and recommended dosing. As of 2021, 18 standardized allergen extracts are available in the United States; all other extracts remain unstandardized without characterization of allergen content or potency. U.S. allergen extracts differ from European extracts in formulation and potency characterization. There is no standardized methodology for SCIT allergen selection, and interpretation of allergen sensitization is not straightforward. Compounding of SCIT mixtures requires consideration of potential dilution effects, allergen cross-reactivity, proteolytic activity, and additives. Probable effective dose ranges for SCIT are recommended in U.S. allergy immunotherapy practice parameters, although there are few studies using U.S. extracts supporting these doses as therapeutic. In contrast, optimized doses of sublingual immunotherapy tablets have been confirmed in North American phase 3 trials. The SCIT dosing for each patient remains an art that requires clinical experience and consideration of polysensitization, tolerability, compounding of allergen extract mixtures, and the range of recommended doses within the context of extract potency variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold S Nelson
- Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colo
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Nolte H, Calderon MA, Bernstein DI, Roberts G, Azuma R, Juhl RG, Hulstrøm V. Anaphylaxis in Clinical Trials of Sublingual Immunotherapy Tablets. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2024; 12:85-95.e4. [PMID: 37972922 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2023.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is no consensus method to identify anaphylaxis in sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) trials. Standardized Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) queries (SMQs) are standardized groupings of MedDRA terms used in drug safety monitoring. OBJECTIVE To develop a method to identify potential anaphylaxis in SLIT-tablet trials using SMQ searches and case definitions of anaphylaxis adopted from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. METHODS The SMQ search tool contained 2 criteria including treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs): (1) narrow MedDRA terms related to anaphylaxis and (2) all AEs with broad MedDRA terms from at least 2 of 3 categories (respiratory/skin/cardiovascular) occurring on the same day. Criteria were applied to a pooled data set of all subjects from 48 timothy grass, ragweed, house dust mite, and tree SLIT-tablet trials (SLIT-tablet, N = 8200; placebo, N = 7033). Additional search strategies were any treatment-emergent AE with MedDRA preferred term "hypersensitivity" and epinephrine administrations. Identified potential cases underwent blinded independent medical expert review. Nonanaphylaxis cases were designated local AEs or mild to moderate systemic reactions. RESULTS Using the SMQ search tool and after subsequent medical review, 8 anaphylaxis cases were identified; 3 were considered treatment-related, resulting in a proportion of anaphylaxis cases/subject of 0.02% (2 of 8200) with SLIT-tablet and 0.01% (1 of 7033) with placebo. One additional anaphylaxis case related to SLIT-tablet was identified by the preferred term "hypersensitivity." The 3 anaphylaxis cases associated with SLIT-tablet treatment were not life-threatening. The epinephrine administration rate was 17 of 8200 (0.2%) with SLIT-tablet treatment and 2 of 7033 (0.03%) with placebo. CONCLUSIONS SMQ search criteria for identifying potential anaphylaxis related to SLIT were developed. Anaphylaxis was rare for SLIT-tablets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David I Bernstein
- Bernstein Allergy Group, Inc, Cincinnati, Ohio; Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Graham Roberts
- The David Hide Asthma and Allergy Research Centre, St Mary's Hospital, Newport Isle of Wight, United Kingdom; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom; University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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3
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Nelson HS. The Art of Immunotherapy. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2024; 12:1-10. [PMID: 37898175 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2023.10.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Selection of a patient with rhinitis/conjunctivitis or asthma for allergy immunotherapy (AIT) requires several decisions. First, does the patient's sensitization, pattern of exposure to an allergen, and degree of exposure to that allergen reasonably suggest a causal relationship? Does the level and duration of symptoms warrant the cost and inconvenience of immunotherapy, or is the patient motivated by the disease-modifying potential of AIT? If AIT is selected, is the choice to be greater safety and convenience with sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablets, but with treatment probably limited to 2 or 3 allergens, or for subcutaneous immunotherapy where multiple allergen therapy is the rule and efficacy may be somewhat greater, at least initially, or does the physician go off-label into the unknowns of liquid SLIT? Are there extracts of sufficient potency to achieve likely effective doses? How does the physician deal with large local or systemic reactions, with gaps in treatment, with pollen seasons, and the use of premedication or cautionary prescription of epinephrine autoinjectors? How can adherence to AIT be improved? These and other questions are addressed in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold S Nelson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy/Immunology, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colo.
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Jung JH, Kim KA, Choi YS, Kim ST. Effect of intralymphatic allergen-specific immunotherapy on house dust mite in a murine model of allergic rhinitis. Acta Otolaryngol 2023; 143:867-875. [PMID: 38059621 DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2023.2273405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT) is a promising alternative for the treatment of patients with allergic rhinitis, providing similar therapeutic efficacy to conventional allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT). However, the allergic mechanism of ILIT is not completely known. AIM The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of ILIT in a house dust mite (HDM) mouse model of allergic rhinitis. METHODS BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: G1, control without allergy; G2, allergy sensitized with HDM; G3, allergy with ILIT (starting with HDM 1.25 μg/mL); and G4, allergy with ILIT (starting with HDM 2.5 μg/mL). After the murine model of allergic rhinitis with HDM was established, mice were administered an intralymphatic injection through the inguinal lymph nodes with HDM. RESULTS ILIT decreased serum total IgE level and eosinophil infiltration in the nasal mucosa. ILIT also decreased the expression levels of IL-13, IL-25, IL-33, IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-17, and increased the expression of FoxP3(+) T reg cells. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE Our results suggest that ILIT regulates the specific immunotherapy immunologic mechanism by downregulating Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines and upregulating FoxP3(+) T reg cells in the HDM allergic mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo Hyun Jung
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Ah Kim
- Gachon Medical Research Institute, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Sook Choi
- Gachon Medical Research Institute, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon Tae Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Republic of Korea
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Lee MC, Puglisi LB, Kelso JM. Comparison of Standard, Cluster, and Rush Allergy Immunotherapy Buildup Protocols. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2023; 11:2884-2889. [PMID: 37369309 PMCID: PMC10527491 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2023.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allergy immunotherapy (AIT) involves a dose-escalation phase following 1 of 3 protocols: standard, cluster, or rush. Although the cluster and rush protocols have been shown to decrease the time to reach maintenance dosing, there is a lack of direct comparison between the protocols. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the differences in time to maintenance dosing and occurrence of adverse reactions among the dose-escalation protocols. METHODS A retrospective observation study of patients on AIT was conducted. Patients were categorized as participating in the standard, cluster, or rush buildup protocols. Patients on the rush protocol, unlike the standard and cluster protocols, were required to receive prednisone, montelukast, cetirizine, and famotidine on the rush day and first 2 weekly injections thereafter. Variables analyzed include patient demographics, time until maintenance dosing, rate of adverse reactions, treatments required for reactions, and AIT formulation. RESULTS Data were reviewed on 237 patients on the standard (n = 41), cluster (n = 122), and rush (n = 74) protocols. The maintenance dose was achieved faster with the rush (16.50 weeks) and cluster (19.33 weeks) buildup protocols than the standard (31.09 weeks) protocol (P < .001). There was no statistically significant difference between time to maintenance dosing when comparing the cluster and rush protocols (P = .322). Despite pretreatment with the rush protocol, the rate of systemic reactions was the same for the standard (9.76%), cluster (9.84%), or rush (14.86%) buildup protocols (P = .526). CONCLUSION Patients on the cluster buildup protocol for AIT achieved maintenance dosing in a comparable time frame as the rush protocol with a similar rate of systemic reactions and without the need for the pretreatment required with rush immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Lee
- Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, Scripps Clinic, San Diego, Calif.
| | - Leah B Puglisi
- Whittier Diabetes Institute, Scripps Clinic, San Diego, Calif
| | - John M Kelso
- Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, Scripps Clinic, San Diego, Calif
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Kurokawa T, Yonekura S, Gotoh M, Okano M, Maekawa Y, Okubo K, Okamoto Y. Efficacy of Japanese cedar pollen sublingual immunotherapy tablets for Japanese cypress pollinosis. J Allergy Clin Immunol Glob 2023; 2:100075. [PMID: 37780797 PMCID: PMC10509998 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacig.2022.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Background We previously demonstrated the efficacy of Japanese cedar (JC) pollen sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablets for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis in a clinical trial (trial no. 206-2-1) that covered 5 pollen dispersal seasons from 2015 to 2019. Objective Our aim was to perform post hoc analysis of the 206-2-1 trial data to evaluate the efficacy of JC pollen SLIT tablets for patients with rhinitis induced by pollen from Japanese cypress (JCY), a related Cupressaceae species that has a pollen dispersal season overlapping with that of JC. Methods Data were analyzed for 240 patients who received placebo during the first pollen dispersal season in 2015, were then rerandomized to receive JC SLIT tablets (the PA group) or placebo (the PP group) for 18 months (the 2016 and 2017 dispersal seasons), and were observed untreated for 2 years (the 2018 and 2019 dispersal seasons). The PA and PP groups were assigned to "high" and "low" subgroups if their rhinitis symptoms were exacerbated/did not change or decreased, respectively, during the peak JCY pollen dispersal period in 2015. The mean total nasal symptom and medication scores and other outcomes were compared for the high-PP, high-PA, low-PP, and low-PA groups during the 2016 to 2019 peak JCY pollen dispersal periods. Results The mean total nasal symptom and medication scores were significantly lower for the high-PA and low-PA groups than for the corresponding PP groups over the 4 years of treatment and observation. JCY pollen-specific IgE levels increased in both PA groups. Conclusion JC pollen SLIT tablets effectively suppressed JCY pollinosis symptoms, supporting the clinical relevance of immunologic cross-reactivity between JC and JCY allergens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoya Kurokawa
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Clinical Research Center, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Syuji Yonekura
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Minoru Gotoh
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Okano
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, International University of Health and Welfare, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yuriko Maekawa
- Department of Medical Affairs, Torii Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kimihiro Okubo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Okamoto
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Chiba Rousai Hospital, Chiba, Japan
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Portnoy J, Ciaccio CE, Beausoleil J, Du Toit G, Fineman S, Tilles SA, Zhang J, Lawrence C, Yassine M, Mustafa SS. Eight tips for the implementation of the first licenced peanut allergy oral immunotherapy into clinical practice. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol 2022; 18:37. [PMID: 35534909 PMCID: PMC9088027 DOI: 10.1186/s13223-022-00671-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Shared learnings from the early use of novel therapies can aid in their optimization. The recent introduction of peanut oral immunotherapy (peanut OIT; Palforzia [Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Allergen Powder-dnfp]) for peanut allergy addresses a significant unmet need but also highlights the requirement for consideration of several factors by both prescribers and patients. OBJECTIVE To provide guidance for prescribers of licenced peanut OIT to facilitate treatment delivery and improve outcomes. METHODS Clinicians with experience of licenced peanut OIT (United States n = 6, United Kingdom n = 1) participated in a series of interviews and group discussions designed to elicit tips for successful implementation. RESULTS Clinicians identified 8 tips that were considered the most relevant, practical, and impactful for prescribers of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Allergen Powder-dnfp: (1) preparing to provide treatment, (2) assessing the medical indication for treatment and (3) shared decision making, (4) staff education, (5) establishing office processes, (6) managing patient expectations and using anticipatory guidance, (7) optimising adherence and (8) maintaining flexibility throughout the treatment process. In addition, a range of supporting materials (e.g., checklists and action plans) are provided. CONCLUSION The introduction of a novel therapy often requires healthcare providers to modify or adopt practices to effectively employ the treatment. The provision of guidance based upon early real-world experiences of licenced peanut OIT may help inform clinical practice and improve treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Portnoy
- Section of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Christina E Ciaccio
- Section of Allergy/Immunology and Pediatric Pulmonology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Janet Beausoleil
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, United States
| | - George Du Toit
- Department of Women and Children's Health (Pediatric Allergy, School of Life Course Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
- Guy's and St Thomas' National Health Service Foundation Trust and King's College London National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre Translational Bioinformatics Platform, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
- Children's Allergy Service, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Stanley Fineman
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta Allergy & Asthma, GA, Atlanta, United States
| | - Stephen A Tilles
- Aimmune Therapeutics, a Nestlé Health Science Company, 8000 Marina Blvd. Suite 300, Brisbane, CA, 94005, United States.
| | - June Zhang
- Latitude Food Allergy Care, Redwood City, CA, United States
| | | | - Mohamed Yassine
- Aimmune Therapeutics, a Nestlé Health Science Company, 8000 Marina Blvd. Suite 300, Brisbane, CA, 94005, United States
| | - S Shahzad Mustafa
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology Rochester Regional Health, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, United States
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Fritzsching B, Contoli M, Porsbjerg C, Buchs S, Larsen JR, Elliott L, Rodriguez MR, Freemantle N. Long-term real-world effectiveness of allergy immunotherapy in patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma: Results from the REACT study, a retrospective cohort study. Lancet Reg Health Eur 2021; 13:100275. [PMID: 34901915 PMCID: PMC8640513 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2021.100275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only causal treatment for respiratory allergy. Long-term real-life effectiveness of AIT remains to be demonstrated beyond the evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Methods REACT (Real world effectiveness in allergy immunotherapy) is a retrospective cohort study using claims data between 2007 and 2017. Study eligibility was a confirmed diagnosis of allergic rhinitis (AR), with or without asthma, and AIT. To ensure comparable groups, AIT-treated subjects were propensity score matched 1:1 with control subjects, using characteristic and potential confounding variables. Outcomes were analysed as within (pre vs post AIT) and between (AIT vs control) group differences across 9 years of follow-up (ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT04125888). Findings 46,024 AIT-treated subjects were matched with control subjects and 14,614 were included in the pre-existing asthma cohort. AIT-treated subjects were 29·5 (16·3) years and 53% were male. Compared to pre-index year, AIT was consistently associated with greater reductions compared to control subjects in AR and asthma prescriptions, including both asthma controller and reliever prescriptions. Additionally, the AIT group had significantly greater likelihood of stepping down asthma treatment (P <0·0001). In addition to the reduction in asthma treatment in the AIT group, a greater reduction in severe asthma exacerbations was demonstrated (P<0·05). Reductions in pneumonia with antibiotic prescriptions, hospitalisations, and duration of inpatients stays were all in favour of AIT. Interpretation The study extends the existing RCT evidence for AIT by demonstrating longer-term and sustained effectiveness of AIT in the real world. Additionally, in patients with concurrent asthma, AIT was associated with reduced likelihood of asthma exacerbations and pneumonia. Funding The study was funded by ALK A/S.
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Key Words
- AIT, allergy immunotherapy
- AR, allergic rhinitis
- Allergic rhinitis
- Allergy
- Allergy immunotherapy
- Asthma
- Effectiveness
- FU, follow-up
- HDM, house dust mite
- HRU, health care resource utilisation
- ICS, inhaled corticosteroids
- INCS, intranasal corticosteroids
- LABA, long-acting beta2-agonists
- PSM, propensity score matching
- RCT, randomised clinical trial
- RWE, real world evidence
- Real-world evidence
- Retrospective cohort study
- Rx, prescription
- SABA, short-acting beta2-agonists
- SCIT, subcutaneous immunotherapy
- SLIT, sublingual immunotherapy
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Fritzsching
- Paediatric Pulmonology and Allergy, Children's Doctor Service, Heidelberg and University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marco Contoli
- Respiratory Section, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Celeste Porsbjerg
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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Tankersley M, Winders T, Aagren M, Brandi H, Pedersen MH, Loftager ASL, Bøgelund M. Subcutaneous immunotherapy takes more than the time in the clinic. Curr Med Res Opin 2021; 37:1925-1931. [PMID: 34490806 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2021.1976126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the time use and both direct and indirect costs associated with subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) for adults with allergic rhinitis (AR) and caregivers of children with AR in the US. METHODS We conducted a survey to assess the retrospective time use and direct costs of SCIT. The populations surveyed included adults and caregivers of children (aged 5-17) with symptomatic AR of moderate or higher severity who are currently receiving or have previously started allergy immunotherapy (AIT). The retrospectively collected, self-reported time consumption and direct costs per clinic visit when receiving SCIT were assessed as well as the productivity loss associated with SCIT. Data were analyzed using univariate descriptive statistics. RESULTS The study included 106 adults with AR and 191 caregivers of children with AR. We found that the median time spent per visit to the clinic was 50 min for both groups, including travel time and time at the clinic. The direct costs related to each visit included parking fees, road tolls and other costs. Adults spent $10 on parking, $9 on tolls and $10 on other costs. Finally, a median of 4 h of work was missed for both the adult patients and the adults accompanying a child. CONCLUSIONS We found that SCIT is associated with substantial direct patient costs and productivity loss for both adults with AR and caregivers of children with AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike Tankersley
- Departments of Medicine, Pediatrics and Otolaryngology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, The Tankersley Clinic, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Tonya Winders
- Allergy & Asthma Network, USA and President, Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform, Vienna, Austria
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Utsumi D, Sugawara T, Hashida K, Yasuhara Y, Fujinami K, Lund K, Ohashi-Doi K. Reduced anaphylactic potential of denatured pullulan-conjugated Cry j 1. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 99:108026. [PMID: 34358858 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.108026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Japanese Cedar (JC) pollinosis is the most common seasonal allergic rhinitis in Japan. Throughout the JC pollen season, patients suffer from the allergic symptoms, resulting in a reduction of quality of life. Allergy immunotherapy (AIT) is an established treatment option for a wide range of allergens that unlike symptomatic treatments (e.g. antihistamines) may provide sustained immune tolerance. However, AIT, especially subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) has a fatal anaphylaxis risk due to the use of crude allergen extracts. Consequently, development of allergen derivatives with substantially reduced anaphylactic potential is desirable. An allergen derivative that showed reduced IgE-binding and anaphylactic potential was developed through conjugation of native Cry j 1 (n Cry j 1), a major JC allergen, to the polysaccharide pullulan followed by chemical but non-covalent denaturation. The resulting Cry j 1 allergen derivative, Dn p-Cry j 1, showed reduced IgE-binding and IgE-mediated effector cell activation in vitro using an ELISA competition assay and a mast cell activation model (EXiLE). Reduced anaphylactic potential of Dn p-Cry j 1 in vivo was demonstrated using the rat passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) assay. The difference in anaphylactic potential of Dn p-Cry j 1 compared to n Cry j 1 in wild-type rats was of the same magnitude as the difference seen in the anaphylaxis reactions obtained with n Cry j 1 in wild-type rats and mast-cell deficient rats, indicating a dramatic reduction in anaphylactic potential of Dn p-Cry j 1. These results indicate that Dn p-Cry j 1 is a promising candidate for next-generation JC AIT.
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MESH Headings
- Allergens/immunology
- Animals
- Antigens, Plant/administration & dosage
- Antigens, Plant/chemistry
- Antigens, Plant/immunology
- Cryptomeria/immunology
- Desensitization, Immunologic/methods
- Disease Models, Animal
- Glucans/administration & dosage
- Glucans/chemistry
- Glucans/immunology
- Humans
- Mast Cells/immunology
- Mice
- Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis
- Plant Proteins/administration & dosage
- Plant Proteins/chemistry
- Plant Proteins/immunology
- Pollen/immunology
- Rats
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/blood
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/diagnosis
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/immunology
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/therapy
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Affiliation(s)
- Daichi Utsumi
- Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 3-4-1, Nihonbashi-honcho, Chuo-ku Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeru Sugawara
- Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 3-4-1, Nihonbashi-honcho, Chuo-ku Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kosumo Hashida
- Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 3-4-1, Nihonbashi-honcho, Chuo-ku Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Yasuhara
- Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 3-4-1, Nihonbashi-honcho, Chuo-ku Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Fujinami
- Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 3-4-1, Nihonbashi-honcho, Chuo-ku Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Katsuyo Ohashi-Doi
- Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 3-4-1, Nihonbashi-honcho, Chuo-ku Tokyo, Japan.
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Yonekura S, Gotoh M, Kaneko S, Maekawa Y, Okubo K, Okamoto Y. Disease-Modifying Effect of Japanese Cedar Pollen Sublingual Immunotherapy Tablets. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2021; 9:4103-4116.e14. [PMID: 34333190 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2021.06.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Japanese cedar (JC) pollinosis is a common allergic rhinitis in Japan. JC pollen sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablets are licensed for the treatment of JC pollinosis. OBJECTIVE To assess the disease-modifying effects of JC pollen SLIT tablets over 5 years (2014-2019), comprising a 3-year treatment period and 2-year follow-up. METHODS A total of 1042 patients with JC pollinosis (aged 5-64 years) were included in the study. An optimal dose-finding study was performed in the first 15 months, after which 240 patients in the placebo (P) group and 236 patients in the optimal active dose (A) group (5000 Japanese allergy units) were re-randomized to receive P or A for an additional 18 months (designated AA, AP, PA, and PP groups). Clinical efficacy was evaluated by the total nasal symptom and medication score (TNSMS) during the peak symptom period of each JC pollen season over 3 years of treatment and 2 years of observation after treatment cessation. RESULTS The AA, AP, and PA groups exhibited significantly reduced TNSMS; however, the largest relative reduction was seen in the AA group both during the treatment period (third season, 46.3% vs PP, P < .001) and during the 2-year follow-up period (fourth and fifth seasons, 45.3% and 34.0% vs PP, respectively; P < .001). The most common adverse drug reactions were mild reactions at the administration site. CONCLUSIONS JC pollen SLIT tablets show sustained clinical efficacy during 3 years of treatment and sustained disease-modifying effects for at least 2 years after treatment cessation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syuji Yonekura
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Minoru Gotoh
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinya Kaneko
- Department of Medical Affairs, Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuriko Maekawa
- Department of Medical Affairs, Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kimihiro Okubo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Okamoto
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; Chiba Rousai Hospital, Chiba, Japan
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Ellis AK, Gagnon R, Hammerby E, Shen J, Gosain S. Sublingual immunotherapy tablet: a cost-minimizing alternative in the treatment of tree pollen-induced seasonal allergic rhinitis in Canada. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol 2021; 17:66. [PMID: 34238358 PMCID: PMC8264484 DOI: 10.1186/s13223-021-00565-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A cost-minimization analysis (CMA) was performed to evaluate the economic implications of introducing the SQ Tree sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)-tablets marketed as ITULATEK® (Health Canada regulatory approval in April 2020) for the treatment of pollen-induced (birch, alder and/or hazel) seasonal allergic rhinitis in Canada (Ontario and Quebec), where Tree Pollen subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is already an available treatment option. METHODS A CMA was deemed appropriate and was based on the assumption that the SQ Tree SLIT-tablets have comparable efficacy to Tree Pollen SCIT. A societal perspective was adopted in the model, including relevant costs of medications, costs of health care services, and productivity losses. The time horizon in the model was three years, which corresponds to a minimal treatment course of allergy immunotherapy. Resource use and costs were based on published sources, where available, and validated by Canadian specialist clinicians (allergists) in active practice in Ontario and in Quebec, where applicable. A discount rate of 1.5% was applied in accordance with the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) guidelines. To assess the robustness of the results, scenario analyses were performed by testing alternative assumptions for selected parameters (e.g., Tree Pollen SCIT resource use, discount rates, number of injections, annual SCIT dosing with maintenance injections, and nurse time support), to evaluate their impact on the results of the analysis. RESULTS The direct costs, including the drug costs, and physician services costs, for three years of treatment, were similar for both SQ Tree SLIT-tablets vs. Tree Pollen SCIT in both Ontario and Quebec ($2799.01 and $2838.70 vs. $2233.76 and $2266.05 respectively). However, when the indirect costs (including patient's travel expenses and lost working hours) are included in the model, total savings for the treatment with SQ Tree SLIT-tablets of $1111.79 for Ontario and $1199.87 for Quebec were observed. Scenario analyses were conducted and showed that changes in assumptions continue to result in the savings of SQ Tree SLIT- tablets over Tree Pollen SCIT. CONCLUSIONS The CMA indicates that SQ Tree SLIT-tablets are a cost-minimizing alternative to Tree Pollen SCIT when considered from a societal perspective in Ontario and Quebec.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne K. Ellis
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON Canada
| | - Rémi Gagnon
- Service D’Allergie Et Immunologie, Département de Médecine, CHU de Québec, Québec City, QC Canada
| | | | - Julia Shen
- PDCI Market Access Inc., Ottawa, ON Canada
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Tkacz JP, Rance K, Waddell D, Aagren M, Hammerby E. Real-world evidence costs of allergic rhinitis and allergy immunotherapy in the commercially insured United States population. Curr Med Res Opin 2021; 37:957-965. [PMID: 33754932 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2021.1903848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess total and allergic rhinitis (AR)-related healthcare costs among AR patients residing in the United States with a focus on patients persisting with AIT. METHODS AR patients were identified in the IBM MarketScan database between 1 January 2014 to 31 March 2017. Patients receiving allergy immunotherapy (AIT) were identified with relevant billing codes (earliest AIT claim = index date); non-AIT patients were identified with claims containing a diagnosis code for AR (earliest AR claim = index date). AIT patients reaching 25+ injection claims were analyzed as a separate maintenance cohort. All patients were required to have continuous enrollment for 12 months preceding and following index. RESULTS A total of 2,334,530 AR patients were included; 103,207 had at least 1 AIT claim, with 45,279 (43.9%) of these patients reaching maintenance, and 24,640 AIT patients (23.9%) never presenting a single injection claim. Compared to non-AIT patients, patients initiating AIT presented higher rates of baseline comorbidities, including asthma (30.1% vs. 7.5%) and conjunctivitis (21.7% vs. 4.4%). During the follow-up period, patients reaching the maintenance phase of AIT incurred lower total costs than the overall AIT cohort ($10,431±$16,606 vs. $11,612±$24,797), and also presented lower follow-up hospitalization costs ($698±$7,248 vs. $1,281±$12,991) and total medical costs ($7950±$13,844 vs. $8989±$22,019). CONCLUSIONS Continued efforts are needed to increase patient awareness of available options and adherence to AIT, along with reducing wastage. Despite AIT patients presenting fairly progressed disease at the time of treatment initiation, this therapy remains an economical treatment option, as it was not accompanied by substantial increases in overall healthcare expenditure, and may promote positive societal impacts beyond the direct medical costs.What is known on this topicThe prevalence of allergic diseases has increased over the past 50 years and affects between 10-30% of the world population.Allergic rhinitis (AR) poses a significant economic burden in the form of both direct and indirect costsAllergy immunotherapy (AIT) is the only treatment option able to modify the underlying course of the disease.What this study addsSpecific all-cause and AR-related healthcare costs decreased following the initiation of AIT among patients diagnosed with AR, with the largest decreases observed among AIT patients reaching the maintenance phase of treatment, while non-AIT patients showed increases in all categories assessed over a similar follow-up period.Cost decreases among AIT patients were observed despite increased levels of comorbidities compared to non-AIT patients, as the AIT cohort presented elevated rates of atopic dermatitis (7.1% vs. 2.7%), conjunctivitis (21.7% vs. 4.4%), asthma (30.1% vs. 7.5%), and chronic sinusitis (22.6% vs. 4.9%).An analysis of patients' index subcutaneous AIT consultation revealed substantial variability in the initial treatment costs, with nearly 20% of paid amounts exceeding $1,000; given nearly 1 in 4 AIT patients who get AIT mixed never came back for their first injection, this highlights an opportunity to target frontloaded billing practices and the timing of mixing/injection as an area to minimize healthcare waste.
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Sidenius K, Arvidsson P, Indbryn R, Emanuelsson CA. A Real-Life One-Year Non-Interventional Study Assessing Safety, Tolerability, and Treatment Outcome of the SQ HDM SLIT-Tablet (Acarizax ®) in House Dust Mite Allergic Rhinitis With or Without Asthma. Pulm Ther 2021; 7:221-236. [PMID: 33772732 PMCID: PMC8137770 DOI: 10.1007/s41030-021-00150-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The aim of this study was to investigate the safety profile, tolerability, and outcome of the SQ® house dust mite (HDM) sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)-tablet after 1 year of treatment in clinical practice among adults with HDM-related allergic rhinitis (AR) ± allergic asthma (AA). Methods In a non-interventional multicenter, observational study, patients were followed at 3 visits for 1 year. Adverse events (AE) were recorded at all visits. Patients graded their allergic symptoms as none, mild, moderate, or severe, and recorded AR and AA medication use. Asthma symptom control was assessed according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Results One hundred and ninety-eight patients were included; 115 (58%) had AR without asthma and 83 (42%) had both AR and AA. One hundred and sixty-six (84%) patients completed the study. Eighty percent of patients experienced an AE: 151 (75%) AEs were mild, 42 (21%) moderate, and 4 (2%) severe. Three patients (1.5%) reported four events that were considered serious (SAEs). One SAE was considered possibly treatment-related. No anaphylactic reactions occurred. The proportion of patients experiencing allergy symptom reductions by at least one step were 75% (nasal), 62% (eye), 16% (skin), and 13% (other symptoms); 75% of patients with AA experienced a decrease of at least one step in bronchial symptoms. AR medication and inhaled corticosteroids were statistically significant reduced. Conclusion The SQ HDM SLIT-tablet was safe and well tolerated; the type, frequency, and severity of AEs resembled what RCTs have previously demonstrated. As explorative endpoints, statistically significant reductions in AR and AA symptoms and medication use were seen along with improved asthma control after 1 year of treatment, implying that clinically meaningful changes were seen after 1 year of treatment with the SQ HDM SLIT-tablet. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41030-021-00150-z.
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Roland LT, Wise SK, Wang H, Zhang P, Mehta C, Levy JM. The cost of rhinitis in the United States: a national insurance claims analysis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2020; 11:946-948. [PMID: 33300670 DOI: 10.1002/alr.22748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren T Roland
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Sarah K Wise
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Heqiong Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Patrick Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | | | - Joshua M Levy
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
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Abstract
Allergic diseases represent some of the most chronic and costly chronic conditions. Medical management may require long-term pharmacotherapy, which is often associated with poor adherence. Although medications provide symptomatic control, they do not modify the allergic disease. Patients may prefer disease-modifying treatments that provide lasting benefits after discontinuation. To date, allergy immunotherapy is the only proved disease modification therapy associated with lasting benefits after discontinuation. However, allergy immunotherapy safety and efficacy has only been established in allergic rhinitis, mild to moderate asthma, and some patients with atopic dermatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Cox
- 1108 South Wolcott Street, Casper, WY 82601, USA.
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Calderon MA, Waserman S, Bernstein DI, Demoly P, Douglass J, Gagnon R, Katelaris CH, Kim H, Nelson HS, Okamoto Y, Okubo K, Virchow JC, DuBuske L, Casale TB, Canonica GW, Nolte H. Clinical Practice of Allergen Immunotherapy for Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis and Asthma: An Expert Panel Report. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2020; 8:2920-2936.e1. [PMID: 32422372 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.04.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) reduces symptoms and medication use associated with allergic rhinitis with or without conjunctivitis and allergic asthma. Although several AIT guidelines exist, there remain unanswered questions about AIT that are relevant to everyday practice. Our objective was to prepare an evidence-based overview addressing the practical aspects of AIT in clinical practice based on published evidence and the experience of international experts in the field. Topics covered include interpretation and translation of clinical trial data into everyday clinical practice (eg, allergen doses and treatment duration), assessment of risk and treatment of local and systemic allergic reactions, recommendations for improvement of AIT guidelines, and identification of appropriate data for seeking regulatory approval, to name a few. Many informational gaps in AIT practice need further evaluation as products and practices evolve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés A Calderon
- Section of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Imperial College London-NHLI, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Susan Waserman
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - David I Bernstein
- Division of Allergy, Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Pascal Demoly
- Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital of Montpellier, & IPLESP, Sorbonne Université - Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Jo Douglass
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital & The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Remi Gagnon
- Clinique Spécialisée en Allergie de la Capitale, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Constance H Katelaris
- Campbelltown Hospital and the School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Harold Kim
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Division of Clinical Immunology & Allergy, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Harold S Nelson
- Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colo
| | - Yoshitaka Okamoto
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kimihiro Okubo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Nippon Medical School, Nippon, Japan
| | - J Christian Virchow
- Department of Pneumology/Intensive Care Medicine, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Lawrence DuBuske
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Immunology, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC
| | - Thomas B Casale
- Division of Allergy/Immunology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla
| | - G Walter Canonica
- Personalized Medicine Clinic Asthma & Allergy, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
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Shaker MS, Mosnaim G, Oppenheimer J, Stukus D, Abrams EM, Greenhawt M. Health and Economic Outcomes of Home Maintenance Allergen Immunotherapy in Select Patients with High Health Literacy during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis During Exceptional Times. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2020; 8:2310-2321.e4. [PMID: 32417446 PMCID: PMC7224677 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is safe and effective but is typically administered under strict clinic observation to mitigate the risk of a systemic reaction to immunotherapy (SRIT). However, in the setting of the global coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, alternative care models should be explored. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of home immunotherapy self-administration (HITSA) in a highly idealized circumstance for provision of maintenance AIT in a shelter-in-place or other scenarios of unforeseen reduction in nonessential medical services. METHODS Markov modeling was used to compare in-office clinic AIT in selected patients using cohort analysis and microsimulation from the societal and health care perspectives. RESULTS Assuming similar SRIT rates, HITSA was found to be a cost-effective option with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $44,554/quality-adjusted life-year when considering both incremental epinephrine autoinjector costs and coronavirus disease 2019 risks. Excluding epinephrine autoinjector costs, HISTA dominated other options. However, outside of pandemic considerations, HITSA was not cost-effective (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, $198,877,286) at annual epinephrine autoinjector costs above $287. As the incremental HITSA SRIT rate increased above 15%, clinic AIT was the most cost-effective strategy. Excluding both pandemic risks and risk of motor vehicle accident fatality from round-trip clinic transit, clinic AIT dominated other strategies. Clinic AIT was the more cost-effective option at very high fatality relative risk for HITSA or at very low annual risk of contracting coronavirus disease 2019. CONCLUSIONS Under idealized assumptions HITSA can be a safe and cost-effective option during a global pandemic in appropriately selected patients provided home rates of SRIT remain stable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus S Shaker
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Section of Allergy and Immunology, Lebanon, NH, and Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, NH
| | - Giselle Mosnaim
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Ill
| | | | - David Stukus
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University School of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Elissa M Abrams
- Section of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, The University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Matthew Greenhawt
- Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colo.
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Shaker MS, Oppenheimer J, Grayson M, Stukus D, Hartog N, Hsieh EWY, Rider N, Dutmer CM, Vander Leek TK, Kim H, Chan ES, Mack D, Ellis AK, Lang D, Lieberman J, Fleischer D, Golden DBK, Wallace D, Portnoy J, Mosnaim G, Greenhawt M. COVID-19: Pandemic Contingency Planning for the Allergy and Immunology Clinic. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2020; 8:1477-1488.e5. [PMID: 32224232 PMCID: PMC7195089 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 210] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
In the event of a global infectious pandemic, drastic measures may be needed that limit or require adjustment of ambulatory allergy services. However, no rationale for how to prioritize service shut down and patient care exists. A consensus-based ad-hoc expert panel of allergy/immunology specialists from the United States and Canada developed a service and patient prioritization schematic to temporarily triage allergy/immunology services. Recommendations and feedback were developed iteratively, using an adapted modified Delphi methodology to achieve consensus. During the ongoing pandemic while social distancing is being encouraged, most allergy/immunology care could be postponed/delayed or handled through virtual care. With the exception of many patients with primary immunodeficiency, patients on venom immunotherapy, and patients with asthma of a certain severity, there is limited need for face-to-face visits under such conditions. These suggestions are intended to help provide a logical approach to quickly adjust service to mitigate risk to both medical staff and patients. Importantly, individual community circumstances may be unique and require contextual consideration. The decision to enact any of these measures rests with the judgment of each clinician and individual health care system. Pandemics are unanticipated, and enforced social distancing/quarantining is highly unusual. This expert panel consensus document offers a prioritization rational to help guide decision making when such situations arise and an allergist/immunologist is forced to reduce services or makes the decision on his or her own to do so.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus S Shaker
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Section of Allergy and Immunology, Lebanon, NH; Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, NH
| | | | - Mitchell Grayson
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University School of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - David Stukus
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University School of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Nicholas Hartog
- Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, Mich
| | - Elena W Y Hsieh
- Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colo
| | - Nicholas Rider
- The Texas Children's Hospital, Section of Immunology, Allergy, and Retrovirology and the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Cullen M Dutmer
- Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colo
| | - Timothy K Vander Leek
- Pediatric Allergy and Asthma, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Harold Kim
- Western University and McMaster University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Edmond S Chan
- BC Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Doug Mack
- McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Halton Pediatric Allergy, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Anne K Ellis
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - David Lang
- Department of Medicine, Section of Allergy and Immunology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Jay Lieberman
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, The University of Tennessee, Memphis, Tenn
| | - David Fleischer
- Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colo
| | - David B K Golden
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md
| | - Dana Wallace
- Nova Southeastern University College of Allopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Fla
| | - Jay Portnoy
- Children's Mercy, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Mo
| | - Giselle Mosnaim
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, Ill
| | - Matthew Greenhawt
- Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colo.
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Dick K, Briggs A, Ohsfeldt R, Sydendal Grand T, Buchs S. A quality-of-life mapping function developed from a grass pollen sublingual immunotherapy trial to a tree pollen sublingual immunotherapy trial. J Med Econ 2020; 23:64-69. [PMID: 31352853 DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2019.1649268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Aims: Allergic rhinitis is caused by sensitivity to environmental allergens that can significantly impact quality-of-life. The objective of this analysis was to estimate health state utilities and quality-adjusted life days (QALDs) for a tree allergy immunotherapy trial, TT-04 (EudraCT No.2015-004821-15). Health-state utilities are a measure of patient preference for health states and are necessary to derive QALDs for cost-utility analysis. Preference-based utilities were not collected in the TT-04 trial, so a mapping algorithm was developed based on a similar grass allergy immunotherapy trial, GT-08 (EudraCT No. 2004-000083-27), to estimate utilities.Methods: A two-part model was developed to predict utilities for the GT-08 trial and applied to the TT-04 trial to estimate the difference in mean utility and QALDs between SQ tree sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)-tablet and placebo.Results: Mean utility difference between SQ tree SLIT-tablet and placebo was 0.030 [95% CI = 0.015-0.046] during the birch pollen season (BPS), 0.019 [95% CI = 0.007-0.030] during the tree pollen season (TPS) and 0.018 [95% CI = 0.007-0.030] during the full trial. The treatment showed a QALD benefit of 1.26 [95% CI = 0.619-1.917] during the BPS, 1.90 [95% CI = 0.692-3.047] during the TPS, and 2.47 [95% CI = 0.930-4.101] during the full trial.Limitations: The generalizability of this algorithm is limited to allergy trials containing the same covariates as those present in the model. The analysis also assumes that grass and tree pollen allergy have the same relationship with EQ5D utilities, which is supported by the fact that both grass and tree pollen induce similar symptoms.Conclusions: Application of the mapping function enabled the calculation of QALDs associated with the treatment, with the caveat that data were extrapolated from grass seasonal allergy to tree seasonal allergy. The results showed a significant QALD benefit of the treatment over placebo in treatment of tree pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew Briggs
- Avalon Health Economics, Morristown, NJ, USA
- Health Economics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Robert Ohsfeldt
- Avalon Health Economics, Morristown, NJ, USA
- Health Policy and Management, Texas A&M University School of Public Health, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | - Sarah Buchs
- ALK, Global Market Access, Hørsholm, Denmark
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW In light of the recent advancements in atopic dermatitis treatment, this review aims to summarize the utility and efficacy of allergy immunotherapy in atopic dermatitis patients. We examine its mechanism, pathophysiology, cost-efficacy, and current guidelines for clinical practice. RECENT FINDINGS The literature supports the use of allergy immunotherapy in atopic conditions such as allergic rhinitis and asthma but insufficient evidence exists to suggest its efficacy in atopic dermatitis. The use of allergy immunotherapy has been shown to provide long-term cost savings in both the USA and the European Union in certain populations but differences in prescribing patterns and manufacturing make it difficult to study its impact on a larger, generalizable scale. Conflicting meta-analyses data and conclusions highlight the need for better, higher quality research to better understand allergy immunotherapy utility in atopic dermatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Rizk
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine University of Florida, 4037 NW 86 Terrace, Gainesville, FL, 32606, USA
| | - Mario Rodenas
- Section of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Anna De Benedetto
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine University of Florida, 4037 NW 86 Terrace, Gainesville, FL, 32606, USA.
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Tanaka A, Tohda Y, Okamiya K, Azuma R, Terada I, Adachi M. Efficacy and Safety of HDM SLIT Tablet in Japanese Adults with Allergic Asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2020; 8:710-720.e14. [PMID: 31541768 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2019.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The standardized quality (SQ) house dust mite (HDM) sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablet has demonstrated efficacy and safety for allergic asthma (AA) in European trials. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of SQ HDM SLIT tablet treatment for up to 19 months in Japanese adults with AA. METHODS In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients aged 18 to 64 years with AA were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to SQ HDM SLIT doses of 10,000 or 20,000 Japanese Allergy Unit or placebo. Subjects had Asthma Control Questionnaire score of 1.0 to 1.5 and daily inhaled corticosteroid use of 200 to 400 μg of fluticasone propionate at randomization. The primary end point was the time from randomization to the first asthma exacerbation as the inhaled corticosteroid dose was being reduced. RESULTS Of the 826 randomized subjects, 693 (84%) completed the trial. No statistically significant differences between the active groups and the placebo group were observed for the primary or any other efficacy end points. However, post hoc analysis indicated a significant difference between the 20,000 Japanese Allergy Unit and placebo groups among subjects who used a short-acting β2-agonist during the baseline period (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.48-1.00; P = .04997). No deaths or anaphylactic reactions were reported. Most adverse events were mild to moderate in severity. CONCLUSIONS The trial demonstrated a favorable safety profile of the SQ HDM SLIT tablet in Japanese adult patients with AA. The treatment appeared to be efficacious in patients requiring rescue medication (ie, short-acting β2-agonist) at baseline in the efficacy assessment using asthma exacerbation during inhaled corticosteroid reduction (JapicCTI number 121847).
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Sturm GJ, Vogelberg C, Marchon M, Horn A, Vitzthum HG, Memar-Baschi MP, Kleine-Tebbe J. Coadministration of Sublingual Immunotherapy Tablets and Management of Potential Adverse Effects: Austrian, German, and Swiss Expert Recommendations. Clin Ther 2019; 41:1880-1888. [PMID: 31353131 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2019.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is currently available as liquid drops and tablets for treatment of allergic patients. Because several allergens are available and many patients are polyallergic, it is possible to treat patients with multiple clinically relevant allergies by >1 SLIT product. Austrian, German, and Swiss medical experts discussed the available data on allergen uptake at the oral mucosa and recently published data on coadministration of a grass and a ragweed tablet. The experts agreed on a schedule considering data from a North American trial on sequential administration of 2 SLIT-tablets with different allergens and their own experiences made during initiation of treatment with >1 SLIT-tablet in their clinics and subsequent self-administration by the patient and discussed the handling and management of potential adverse drug reactions (ADRs). According to the medical experts' opinion, tolerability at each phase of administration and patient preference should be taken into consideration to ensure a high level of adherence to treatment. Local ADRs that are uncomfortable for the patient may be alleviated by a 2- to 4-week course of antihistamine pretreatment. ADRs with severe swelling and/or systemic ADRs need the physician's particular attention and a decision together with the patient on continuation of treatment with SLIT or possible alternative routes of administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunter Johannes Sturm
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; Outpatient Allergy Clinic, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Christian Vogelberg
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Fukano C, Ohashi-Doi K, Lund K, Nakao A, Masuyama K, Matsuoka T. Establishment of enzyme-linked immunosorbent facilitated antigen binding as a biomarker assay for Japanese cedar pollen allergy immunotherapy. J Pharmacol Sci 2019; 140:223-227. [PMID: 31353210 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphs.2019.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical efficacy of allergen-specific Immunotherapy (AIT) towards Japanese cedar (JC) pollen allergy is firmly established but JC pollen-specific biomarker assays are lacking. Treatment-related increase of allergen-specific antibodies is a robust biomarker of successful AIT. Allergen-specific non-IgE antibodies are believed to reduce the effects of allergen exposure by competing with IgE for allergen binding, and in-vitro assays quantifying the effects of AIT-induced IgE-blocking antibodies are advantageous. A cell-free enzyme-linked immunosorbent facilitated antigen binding (ELIFAB) assay of JC pollen was established. METHODS Serum IgE-allergen complexes were captured by immobilized recombinant CD23, and allergen-IgE-CD23 complexes were detected by a biotin-conjugated anti-human IgE antibody. Sera from JC pollen-allergic subjects without or with subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) with JC pollen extract were used (n = 11/group). RESULTS Optimal assay conditions were established at 20 μg/mL CD23 and 0.3 μg/mL JC pollen extract, and the dependency on CD23 and IgE was verified. The data show that the JC pollen ELIFAB assay is fit for purpose and demonstrates that the IgE-blocking activity is significantly increased in the JC pollen SCIT group compared with the non-treated group. CONCLUSION The JC pollen ELIFAB assay represents a simple, cell-free biomarker assay for monitoring the development of IgE-blocking antibody activity during JC pollen AIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiharu Fukano
- Research Laboratory, Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 2183-1 Ota Teranosaku, Sakura-shi, Chiba, Japan; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo-shi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Katsuyo Ohashi-Doi
- Research Laboratory, Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 2183-1 Ota Teranosaku, Sakura-shi, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Kaare Lund
- Papermill Medical, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Atsuhito Nakao
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo-shi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Keisuke Masuyama
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo-shi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Tomokazu Matsuoka
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo-shi, Yamanashi, Japan
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Ellis AK, Gagnon R, Hammerby E, Lau A. Sublingual immunotherapy tablet for the treatment of house dust mite allergic rhinitis in Canada: an alternative to minimize treatment costs? Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol 2019; 15:27. [PMID: 31061666 PMCID: PMC6487002 DOI: 10.1186/s13223-019-0344-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A cost-minimization analysis (CMA) was performed to estimate the economic impact of introducing the SQ house dust mite sublingual immunotherapy (SQ HDM SLIT)-tablet marketed as ACARIZAX™ (regulatory approval May 2017) for the treatment of HDM-induced allergic rhinitis in Canada (Ontario and Quebec), where house dust mite subcutaneous immunotherapy (HDM SCIT) is already an available treatment option. METHODS A CMA was deemed appropriate and was based on the assumption that the SQ HDM SLIT-tablet has comparable efficacy to HDM SCIT. A societal perspective was adopted in the model, including relevant costs of medications, health care services and productivity loss. A 3 year time horizon was used corresponding to a recommended treatment course of allergy immunotherapy. Resource use and costs were based on published sources, where possible, and validated and complemented by a Canadian specialist clinician (allergist) in active practice in Ontario and in Quebec, respectively, where applicable. A discount rate of 1.5% was applied in accordance with the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) guidelines. To assess the robustness of the results, sensitivity analyses were performed by testing alternative assumptions for selected parameters, to understand their impact on the results of the analysis. RESULTS The direct treatment costs for a 3-year treatment with SQ HDM SLIT-tablets were higher than for HDM SCIT for both provinces, Ontario and Quebec ($4732.12 and $4829.03 vs. $3434.51 and $2987.74). However, when adding the indirect costs to the model, total savings for the treatment with SQ HDM SLIT-tablets of $1833.00 for Ontario and $769.03 for Quebec were observed. Sensitivity analyses with varying HDM SCIT resource use, discount rates, titration and maintenance injections, nurse time, and number of injections per vial resulted in savings of SQ HDM SLIT-tablets over HDM SCIT in all scenarios analysed. CONCLUSIONS The CMA indicates that SQ HDM SLIT-tablets are a cost-minimizing alternative to HDM SCIT when considered from a societal perspective in Ontario and Quebec.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne K. Ellis
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON Canada
| | - Rémi Gagnon
- Service d’Allergie et Immunologie, Département de médecine, CHU de Québec, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Andrea Lau
- PDCI Market Access Inc., Ottawa, ON Canada
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Batard T, Sanjuan A, Denis L, Nguyen H, Montagut A, Sastre J, Rak S, Cuiné JF. Two grass pollen tablets commercially available for allergy immunotherapy display different IgE epitope repertoires. Clin Transl Allergy 2019; 9:13. [PMID: 30858968 PMCID: PMC6391756 DOI: 10.1186/s13601-019-0253-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The distribution of Pooideae species varies across Europe. Especially, Timothy is less represented in Southern than in Northern Europe. Since allergenic cross-reactivity between pollens from different grasses is only partial, grass pollen-allergic patients are expected to display different sensitization profiles, with specific IgE directed against different combinations of allergenic epitopes, depending on their living places in Europe and the grasses they are exposed to. In this context, this study aimed at comparing two tablets commercially available for allergy immunotherapy, namely a 5-grass (Cocksfoot, Meadow-grass, Rye-grass, Sweet vernal-grass and Timothy) and a 1-grass (Timothy) pollen tablets, for their ability to represent the sensitization profiles of patients, depending on whether they live in Southern or Northern Europe. Methods Sera were collected from adult patients living in Spain (n = 19) and Sweden (n = 22). Tablets were compared for their ability to inhibit the binding of patient serum IgE to pollen allergens from twelve grasses commonly distributed throughout Europe, as determined by the areas under the curves obtained by ELISA-inhibition. Tablets were adjusted to an equivalent allergenic activity, based on the CBER/FDA bioequivalent allergy unit. Results Inhibition of the IgE binding to pollen allergens from twelve grasses was significantly stronger with the 5-grass than with the 1-grass pollen tablet (p < 0.0001), regardless of whether patients were considered as a whole or by geographical area. This difference between tablets was significantly greater for Southern than Northern European patients (p < 0.05). Conclusions Compared to the 1-grass tablet, the 5-grass tablet generally covers better the sensitization profiles of European patients, especially patients from Southern Europe, in principle less exposed to pollen from Timothy than from other grasses. The 5-grass tablet is therefore expected to elicit larger spectra of blocking antibodies, which might have implications in light of the generally accepted mechanisms of allergy immunotherapy. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13601-019-0253-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Batard
- 1Product Development, Stallergenes Greer, 6 rue Alexis de Tocqueville, 92160 Antony, France
| | - Amparo Sanjuan
- 1Product Development, Stallergenes Greer, 6 rue Alexis de Tocqueville, 92160 Antony, France
| | - Laure Denis
- 1Product Development, Stallergenes Greer, 6 rue Alexis de Tocqueville, 92160 Antony, France
| | - Hélène Nguyen
- 2Global Medical Affairs, Stallergenes Greer, 6 rue Alexis de Tocqueville, 92160 Antony, France
| | - Armelle Montagut
- 3Global Clinical Development, Stallergenes Greer, 6 rue Alexis de Tocqueville, 92160 Antony, France
| | | | - Sabina Rak
- 5Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jean F Cuiné
- 1Product Development, Stallergenes Greer, 6 rue Alexis de Tocqueville, 92160 Antony, France
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Okamiya K, Sekino H, Azuma R, Kudo M, Sakaguchi M, Nemoto F, Muramatsu N, Maekawa Y, Tanaka A. Safety profile of the SQ house dust mite sublingual immunotherapy-tablet in Japanese adult patients with house dust mite-induced allergic asthma: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase I study. J Asthma 2018; 56:1347-1355. [PMID: 30444150 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2018.1541353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The SQ house dust mite (HDM) sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)-tablet has demonstrated effective treatment of HDM-induced allergic asthma in patients 18 years or older in European trials. This study investigated its safety and immunology profile in Japanese adult patients with mild-to-moderate HDM-induced allergic asthma. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 48 Japanese patients were randomly assigned to a daily treatment of SQ HDM SLIT-tablet or placebo (3:1) for 14 d with or without an up-dosing regimen. Active groups comprised 5000, 10,000 or 20,000 Japanese Allergy Unit (JAU) for 14 d, and the up-dosing group comprised 5,000 JAU in day 1-3, 10,000 JAU in day 4-7 and 20,000 JAU in day 8-14. Results: No marked differences were observed in the incidence rate of adverse events (AEs) and their severity among active groups. The five most common investigational medicinal product (IMP)-related AEs were local events at the application site observed within 30 min after the intake of the SQ HDM SLIT-tablet. Although most events recovered within 1 h, mouth edema indicated a different profile of duration with more than 25% of the events lasting for more than 1 h. Conclusions: The SQ HDM SLIT-tablet of up to 20,000 JAU was well tolerated, and safety profile was acceptable for Japanese subjects with HDM-induced allergic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hisakuni Sekino
- Department of Internal Medicine, Sekino Hospital , Tokyo , Japan
| | - Ryuji Azuma
- Torii Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. , Tokyo , Japan
| | - Minoru Kudo
- Torii Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. , Tokyo , Japan
| | | | - Fumi Nemoto
- Torii Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. , Tokyo , Japan
| | | | | | - Akihiko Tanaka
- Department of Medicine, Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, School of Medicine, Showa University , Tokyo , Japan
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Abstract
Peanut allergens have the potential to negatively impact on the health and quality of life of millions of consumers worldwide. The seeds of the peanut plant Arachis hypogaea contain an array of allergens that are able to induce the production of specific IgE antibodies in predisposed individuals. A lot of effort has been focused on obtaining the sequences and structures of these allergens due to the high health risk they represent. At present, 16 proteins present in peanuts are officially recognized as allergens. Research has also focused on their in-depth immunological characterization as well as on the design of modified hypoallergenic derivatives for potential use in clinical studies and the formulation of strategies for immunotherapy. Detailed research protocols are available for the purification of natural allergens as well as their recombinant production in bacterial, yeast, insect, and algal cells. Purified allergen molecules are now routinely used in diagnostic multiplex protein arrays for the detection of the presence of allergen-specific IgE. This review gives an overview on the wealth of knowledge that is available on individual peanut allergens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Palladino
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heimo Breiteneder
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Schwab JA, Wolf H, Schnitker J, Wüstenberg E. Intra-Seasonal Initiation of the SQ-Standardised Grass Allergy Immunotherapy Tablet Routinely Applied by Allergy Specialists and General Practitioners with Experience in Treatment of Allergy: A Non-Interventional Observational Study. Pulm Ther 2018; 4:45-57. [PMID: 32026241 PMCID: PMC6964259 DOI: 10.1007/s41030-018-0050-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Intra-seasonal start of treatment with the SQ® grass sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablet (GRAZAX®, ALK, Denmark) has been previously demonstrated to be well-tolerated. The objective of our study was to investigate the tolerability of intra-seasonal start of treatment comparing patients treated by allergists and general practitioners experienced in treatment of allergy (GPs). METHODS In a non-interventional, open-label, observational study, data on intra-seasonal start with the SQ® grass SLIT tablet were recorded in patients treated by allergists and GPs in Germany. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded by the physicians at first administration and during the 1-3-month observation period. The tablets taken and any AEs were recorded by the patients in diaries for the first 14 days. RESULTS Treatment with the SQ® grass SLIT tablet was started in 198 patients, and in 179 intra-seasonal (allergists: 140, GPs: 39) and 19 post-seasonal; average treatment period was 47 days. AEs related to intra-seasonal start were reported in 43.6% of patients; no relevant differences between allergists and GPs were observed. In the subgroup of GPs, patients were younger (p = 0.0191), had more frequently asthma (p = 0.0043), more patients used symptomatic medication in the previous pollen season (p = 0.0198) and were more frequently treated for other diseases (p = 0.0467). In the allergists subgroup, more diagnostic allergy tests were applied (p < 0.0001) with less anti-allergic premedication at first administration (p = 0.0026). CONCLUSION The intra-seasonal start of treatment with the SQ® grass SLIT tablet in patients routinely treated by allergists or GPs with experience in treatment of allergy was well-tolerated, although patient characteristics were different with respect to age, frequency of asthma and concomitant allergies, use of symptomatic medication in the previous grass pollen season and concomitant treatment of other diseases. The safety profile from a previous placebo-controlled clinical trial and data from a previous real-life study on intra-seasonal start performed by allergists were confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hendrik Wolf
- Clinical Development, ALK-Abelló Arzneimittel GmbH, 22763, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Jörg Schnitker
- Institut für angewandte Statistik GmbH, 33647, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Eike Wüstenberg
- Medical Department, ALK-Abelló Arzneimittel GmbH, 22763, Hamburg, Germany
- Clinic for Otolaryngology, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, 01307, Dresden, Germany
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Abstract
Polysensitization, sensitization to more than one allergen, is a common feature of patients with allergic rhinitis, and may be a risk factor for subsequent development of allergic diseases, especially allergic asthma. However, a polysensitized patient does not necessarily have polyallergy, a documented, causal relationship between exposure to 2 or more specific, sensitizing allergens and the subsequent occurrence of relevant clinical symptoms of allergy. Allergen immunotherapy treatment strategy for the polysensitized patient in Europe is to treat the single or 2 most clinically relevant allergen(s), whereas patients in the United States are usually treated for all potential clinically relevant allergens.
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Emminger W, Hernández MD, Cardona V, Smeenk F, Fogh BS, Calderon MA, de Blay F, Backer V. The SQ House Dust Mite SLIT-Tablet Is Well Tolerated in Patients with House Dust Mite Respiratory Allergic Disease. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2017; 174:35-44. [PMID: 28950268 DOI: 10.1159/000478699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The SQ house dust mite (HDM) SLIT-tablet (ALK, Denmark) addresses the underlying cause of HDM respiratory allergic disease, and a clinical effect has been demonstrated for both HDM allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. Here, we present pooled safety data from an adult population with HDM respiratory allergy, with particular focus on the impact of asthma on the SQ HDM SLIT-tablet tolerability profile. METHODS Safety data from 2 randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials were included: MT-04: 834 adults with HDM allergic asthma not well controlled by inhaled corticosteroids and with HDM allergic rhinitis, and MT-06: 992 adults with moderate-to-severe HDM allergic rhinitis despite the use of allergy pharmacotherapy and with or without asthma. RESULTS The proportion of subjects experiencing adverse events (AEs) was greater in the active treatment group (12 SQ-HDM; 73% of subjects) compared to placebo (53%). The most common treatment-related AEs were local allergic reactions. No AEs were reported as systemic allergic reactions. Regardless of asthma status, most AEs were mild or moderate (>97% of AEs) and the frequency of serious AEs was low. Subgroup analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in the risk of experiencing moderate or severe treatment-related AEs for subjects with asthma compared to subjects without asthma (p = 0.88). In addition, subjects with partly controlled or uncontrolled asthma were no more likely to experience moderate or severe treatment-related AEs than subjects with controlled asthma (p = 0.42). CONCLUSION The SQ HDM SLIT-tablet is well tolerated, and the safety profile was comparable for subjects with HDM respiratory allergic disease irrespective of asthma status.
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Abstract
Allergy immunotherapy (AIT) is the only disease-modifying therapy for the treatment of allergic diseases. Although its efficacy and utility are well-established, the potential for serious adverse events, cumbersome and lengthy treatment protocols, and variability of natural allergen preparations have limited its widespread application. Recent advances in recombinant technology have opened new avenues for the development of AIT vaccines. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent evidence on the use of novel recombinant vaccines and review the mechanisms, efficacy, safety, and limitations of AIT. Emerging evidence suggests that recombinant vaccines may provide a viable treatment alternative that improves on the limitations of natural extract therapy while maintaining efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hardik D Patel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Chambliss
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Clinical and Experimental Immunology and Infectious Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Route 0372, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Meera R Gupta
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Clinical and Experimental Immunology and Infectious Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Route 0372, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
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Casale TB, Cox LS, Wahn U, Golden DBK, Bons B, Didier A. Safety Review of 5-Grass Pollen Tablet from Pooled Data of Clinical Trials. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2017; 5:1717-1727.e1. [PMID: 28734858 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2017.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 5-grass pollen sublingual tablet has been approved for the treatment of grass pollen-induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in subjects with or without intermittent asthma. OBJECTIVE To provide a comprehensive analysis of the safety profile of the 5-grass tablet on the basis of pooled data from 8 clinical trials. METHODS Subjects (5-65 years old) with medically confirmed grass pollen-induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were included in the double-blind studies. Those with intermittent asthma not requiring treatment other than inhaled beta-2 agonists could participate. Randomized subjects received a 5-grass or placebo tablet daily 2 or 4 months preseasonally and coseasonally (5 single-season studies, over 3 years in a long-term study) or outside the season (phase I studies). Adverse events were pooled and analyzed descriptively. RESULTS Among 2,512 subjects enrolled, 1,514 received the 5-grass tablet. A total of 1,038 adults and 154 pediatric (5-17 years old) subjects were treated with the 300 Index of Reactivity dose (vs 840 and 158 placebo recipients, respectively); 17% had intermittent asthma, and 62% were polysensitized. Adverse reactions (ADRs) reported in more than 10% of actively treated subjects were mild or moderate application-site reactions, for example, oral pruritus 25% (placebo 4%) and throat irritation 21% (placebo 3%). These generally occurred during the first week of treatment and decreased over time. They led to discontinuation in less than 2.5% of subjects. None of the 3 serious ADRs were reports of anaphylaxis. No notable differences were detected in terms of incidence, nature, and severity of ADRs between adult and pediatric populations, nor between subjects with or without asthma. CONCLUSIONS The pooled analysis in 1,514 subjects from 8 clinical studies demonstrates that the 5-grass pollen sublingual tablet has a similar good safety profile in adult and pediatric patients with or without mild, intermittent asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas B Casale
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla.
| | - Linda S Cox
- Allergy and Asthma Center, Fort Lauderdale, Fla
| | - Ulrich Wahn
- Pediatric Pneumology and Immunology, Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - David B K Golden
- Allergy & Immunology, Medstar Franklin Square Medical Center, Baltimore, Md
| | | | - Alain Didier
- Service de Pneumologie - Allergologie, Hôpital Larrey, CHU de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
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Valovirta E, Petersen TH, Piotrowska T, Laursen MK, Andersen JS, Sørensen HF, Klink R. Results from the 5-year SQ grass sublingual immunotherapy tablet asthma prevention (GAP) trial in children with grass pollen allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2017; 141:529-538.e13. [PMID: 28689794 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2017.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allergy immunotherapy targets the immunological cause of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and allergic asthma and has the potential to alter the natural course of allergic disease. OBJECTIVE The primary objective was to investigate the effect of the SQ grass sublingual immunotherapy tablet compared with placebo on the risk of developing asthma. METHODS A total of 812 children (5-12 years), with a clinically relevant history of grass pollen allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and no medical history or signs of asthma, were included in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, comprising 3 years of treatment and 2 years of follow-up. RESULTS There was no difference in time to onset of asthma, defined by prespecified asthma criteria relying on documented reversible impairment of lung function (primary endpoint). Treatment with the SQ grass sublingual immunotherapy tablet significantly reduced the risk of experiencing asthma symptoms or using asthma medication at the end of trial (odds ratio = 0.66, P < .036), during the 2-year posttreatment follow-up, and during the entire 5-year trial period. Also, grass allergic rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms were 22% to 30% reduced (P < .005 for all 5 years). At the end of the trial, the use of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis pharmacotherapy was significantly less (27% relative difference to placebo, P < .001). Total IgE, grass pollen-specific IgE, and skin prick test reactivity to grass pollen were all reduced compared to placebo. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with the SQ grass sublingual immunotherapy tablet reduced the risk of experiencing asthma symptoms and using asthma medication, and had a positive, long-term clinical effect on rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms and medication use but did not show an effect on the time to onset of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erkka Valovirta
- Department of Lung Disease and Clinical Allergology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Terveystalo Allergy Clinic, Turku, Finland.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Rabih Klink
- Office of Paediatrics and Allergology Pneumo Pédiatric, Laon, France
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Abstract
The years 1988-1995 witnessed the beginning of allergen cloning and the generation of recombinant allergens, which opened up new avenues for the diagnosis and research of human allergic diseases. Most crystal and solution structures of allergens have been obtained using recombinant allergens. Structural information on allergens allows insights into their evolutionary biology, illustrates clinically observed cross-reactivities, and makes the design of hypoallergenic derivatives for allergy vaccines possible. Recombinant allergens are widely used in molecule-based allergy diagnosis such as protein microarrays or suspension arrays. Recombinant technologies have been used to produce well-characterized, noncontaminated vaccine components with known biological activities including a variety of allergen derivatives with reduced IgE reactivity. Such recombinant hypoallergens as well as wild-type recombinant allergens have been used successfully in several immunotherapy trials for more than a decade to treat birch and grass pollen allergy. As a more recent application, the development of antibody repertoires directed against conformational epitopes during immunotherapy has been monitored by recombinant allergen chimeras. Although much progress has been made, the number and quality of recombinant allergens will undoubtedly increase and keep improving our knowledge in basic scientific investigations, diagnosis, and therapy of human allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelika Tscheppe
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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36
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Abstract
Allergies affect a large proportion of the population. Allergies can adversely affect productivity, sleep, and quality of life and can lead to life-threatening reactions. Allergies can spread to affect multiple organ systems. Allergen immunotherapy is the only therapy that can change the natural history of allergic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efren Rael
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University, Box 18885, Stanford, CA 94309, USA.
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Damm K, Volk J, Horn A, Allam JP, Troensegaard-Petersen N, Serup-Hansen N, Winkler T, Thiessen I, Borchert K, Wüstenberg EG, Mittendorf T. Patient preferences in allergy immunotherapy (AIT) in Germany - a discrete-choice-experiment. Health Econ Rev 2016; 6:32. [PMID: 27485437 PMCID: PMC4971006 DOI: 10.1186/s13561-016-0110-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allergic Rhinitis (AR) is a common disorder in Europe with Allergic Asthma (AA) as a frequent comorbidity. Allergy immunotherapy (AIT) is the only causal therapy of AR and AA, and can be administered as subcutaneous injections at the physician or as sublingual drops or tablets at home. The usual treatment duration is 3 years. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to elicit patient preferences to identify the AIT administration mode preferred by patients. METHODS A discrete-choice-experiment (DCE) was developed to determine how people weight different treatment options using a paper-based questionnaire from June to September 2014, including 16 study centres. Main inclusion criteria: >18 years, grass, birch and/or house dust mite AR with moderate to severe symptoms, AIT-naïve and AIT-indicated. DCE-attributes were: Administration form, number and duration of physician visits, frequency of life-threatening anaphylactic shocks, local side-effects and co-payments. RESULTS Two-hundred thirty-nine subjects participated, resulting in analysable 1842 choices. All attributes were significant predictors for the treatment-choice. Ranked by importance, the following first three attributes are most preferred by patients: 1(st) Number and duration of physician visits: Fewer visits with shorter duration preferred (0.658*) 2(nd) Frequency of life-threatening anaphylactic shocks: Lower risk of shocks preferred (0.285*) 3(rd) Local side-effects: Preference for rash/swelling on upper arm over itching/swelling under the tongue (0.210*) (*coefficient-size represents relative importance of the attributes) CONCLUSION The most important attribute is the number and duration of visits to a physician. A lower risk of life-threatening anaphylactic shocks was ranked as the second whereas co-payments and administration form play a limited role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Damm
- Center for Health Economics Research Hannover (CHERH), Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Janina Volk
- ALK-Abelló Arzneimittel GmbH, Griegstraße 75, Haus 25, D-22763, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Andreas Horn
- ENT Practice am Neckar Dres. Zeuner, Horn & Vasvari, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jean-Pierre Allam
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | | | - Thomas Winkler
- ALK-Abelló Arzneimittel GmbH, Griegstraße 75, Haus 25, D-22763, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ivonne Thiessen
- ALK-Abelló Arzneimittel GmbH, Griegstraße 75, Haus 25, D-22763, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Eike G Wüstenberg
- ALK-Abelló Arzneimittel GmbH, Griegstraße 75, Haus 25, D-22763, Hamburg, Germany
- Department for Otorhinolaryngology, Medical Faculty Dresden University, Dresden, Germany
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Slovick A, Douiri A, Muir R, Guerra A, Tsioulos K, Hay E, Lam EPS, Kelly J, Peacock JL, Ying S, Shamji MH, Cousins DJ, Durham SR, Till SJ. Intradermal grass pollen immunotherapy increases T H2 and IgE responses and worsens respiratory allergic symptoms. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2016; 139:1830-1839.e13. [PMID: 27773851 PMCID: PMC5457129 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2016.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Revised: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Repeated low-dose grass pollen intradermal allergen injection suppresses allergen-induced cutaneous late-phase responses comparably with conventional subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy. OBJECTIVE We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of grass pollen intradermal immunotherapy in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. METHODS We randomly assigned 93 adults with grass pollen-induced allergic rhinitis to receive 7 preseasonal intradermal allergen injections (containing 7 ng of Phl p 5 major allergen) or a histamine control. The primary end point was daily combined symptom-medication scores during the 2013 pollen season (area under the curve). Analysis was by intention to treat. Skin biopsy specimens were collected after intradermal allergen challenges, and late-phase responses were measured 4 and 7, 10, or 13 months after treatment. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the primary end point between treatment arms (active, n = 46; control, n = 47; median difference, 14; 95% CI, -172.5 to 215.1; P = .80). Among secondary end points, nasal symptoms were worse in the intradermal treatment group, as measured based on daily (median difference, 35; 95% CI, 4.0-67.5; P = .03) and visual analog scale (median difference, 53; 95% CI, -11.6 to 125.2; P = .05) scores. In a per-protocol analysis intradermal immunotherapy was further associated with worse asthma symptoms and fewer symptom-free days. Intradermal immunotherapy increased serum Phleum pratense-specific IgE levels (P = .001) compared with those in the control arm. T cells cultured from biopsy specimens of subjects undergoing intradermal immunotherapy had higher expression of the TH2 surface marker CRTH2 (P = .04) and lower expression of the TH1 marker CXCR3 (P = .01), respectively. Late-phase responses remained inhibited 7 months after treatment (P = .03). CONCLUSION Intradermal allergen immunotherapy suppressed skin late-phase responses but was not clinically effective and resulted in worsening of respiratory allergic symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Slovick
- Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, King's College London, School of Medicine, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom; MRC-Asthma UK Centre for Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, London, United Kingdom
| | - Abdel Douiri
- Division of Health and Social Care Research, King's College London, 4th floor Addison House, Guy's Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Muir
- Clinical Research Facility, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Guerra
- Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, King's College London, School of Medicine, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Konstantinos Tsioulos
- Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, King's College London, School of Medicine, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Evie Hay
- Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, King's College London, School of Medicine, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily P S Lam
- Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, King's College London, School of Medicine, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Kelly
- King's Clinical Trials Unit, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom
| | - Janet L Peacock
- Division of Health and Social Care Research, King's College London, 4th floor Addison House, Guy's Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sun Ying
- Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, King's College London, School of Medicine, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mohamed H Shamji
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - David J Cousins
- Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, King's College London, School of Medicine, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, NIHR Leicester Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit, Leicester Institute for Lung Health, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom; MRC-Asthma UK Centre for Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen R Durham
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen J Till
- Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, King's College London, School of Medicine, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom; MRC-Asthma UK Centre for Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, London, United Kingdom.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION The majority of allergic subjects are polysensitized. In Europe, allergy immunotherapy (AIT) in these patients is usually limited to their single clinically most troublesome allergy while in the U.S. the immunotherapy prescription usually includes all allergen extracts to which the patient has evidence of clinical sensitivity. Areas covered: This article will review the evidence supporting the U.S. practice. It will also review the major new development in the management of polysensitized patients, the introduction of component-resolved diagnosis (CRD). Expert commentary: This allows, in many cases, distinguishing in polysensitized patients between sensitization to the major allergens of several unrelated allergen extracts and to panallergens that cause broad patterns of cross-reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold S Nelson
- a Department of Medicine , National Jewish Health , Denver , CO , USA
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Demoly P, Okamoto Y, Yang WH, Devillier P, Bergmann KC. 300 IR HDM tablet: a sublingual immunotherapy tablet for the treatment of house dust mite-associated allergic rhinitis. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2016; 12:1141-1151. [PMID: 27632814 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2016.1237288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The once-daily 300 index of reactivity (IR) house dust mite (HDM) tablet (Actair®; Stallergenes Greer, Antony, France/Shionogi & Co. Ltd., Osaka, Japan) is the first sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablet to be approved for the treatment of HDM-induced allergic rhinitis. Areas covered: This drug profile reviews the current body of evidence on the efficacy, safety and tolerability of the 300 IR HDM tablet, its pharmacodynamics, and its role in clinical practice. Expert commentary: Data from its clinical development program demonstrate favorable efficacy and safety in adults and adolescents with HDM-induced allergic rhinitis, irrespective of mono- or polysensitization status, or the presence of comorbid mild asthma. The 300 IR HDM tablet is effective from as early as 2 months after treatment initiation, providing allergic symptom control and a reduction in the need for symptomatic medication, while improving health-related quality of life. Clinical efficacy is maintained for 1 year after treatment is stopped.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Demoly
- a Department of Pulmonology - Division of Allergy , Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, University Hospital of Montpellier, Montpellier and Sorbonne Universités , UPMC Paris 06, UMR-S 1136, IPLESP, Equipe EPAR, Paris , France
| | - Yoshitaka Okamoto
- b Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine , Chiba University , Chiba , Japan
| | - William H Yang
- c Ottawa Allergy Research Corporation , University of Ottawa Medical School , Ottawa , Canada
| | - Philippe Devillier
- d UPRES EA 220, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin , Department of Airway Diseases, Foch Hospital , Suresnes , France
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Hahn-Pedersen J, Worm M, Green W, Andreasen JN, Taylor M. Cost utility analysis of the SQ(®) HDM SLIT-tablet in house dust mite allergic asthma patients in a German setting. Clin Transl Allergy 2016; 6:35. [PMID: 27610217 PMCID: PMC5015209 DOI: 10.1186/s13601-016-0127-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma affects an estimated 300 million people worldwide with the condition associated with significant healthcare utilisation costs and a large impact on patient quality of life. The SQ(®) HDM SLIT-tablet (ACARIZAX(®), Hørsholm, Denmark) is a sublingually administered allergy immunotherapy tablet for house dust mite allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis and has recently been licensed in Europe. OBJECTIVE To assess the cost-effectiveness of ACARIZAX plus pharmacotherapy versus placebo plus pharmacotherapy in patients with house dust mite allergic asthma that is uncontrolled by inhaled corticosteroids, in a German setting. Eligible patients should also have symptoms of mild to severe allergic rhinitis. METHODS A cost utility analysis was undertaken, based on the results of a European phase III randomised controlled trial, in which ACARIZAX was compared with placebo with both treatment groups also receiving pharmacotherapy in the form of inhaled corticosteroids and short-acting β2-agonists. Cost and quality-adjusted life years from the trial were extrapolated over a nine year time horizon and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio calculated to compare treatment options. RESULTS ACARIZAX plus pharmacotherapy was estimated to generate 6.16 quality-adjusted life years per patient at a cost of €5658, compared with 5.50 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) at a cost of €2985 for placebo plus pharmacotherapy. This equated to an incremental cost of €2673, incremental QALYs of 0.66 and an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of €4041. The ICER was, therefore, substantially lower than the €40,000 willingness-to-pay threshold per QALY adopted for the analysis. Deterministic sensitivity analyses indicate the results are most sensitive to the utility score of ACARIZAX patients during years 2 and 3 of treatment. CONCLUSION This analysis indicates that ACARIZAX plus pharmacotherapy is cost-effective compared with placebo plus pharmacotherapy for house dust mite allergic asthma patients in Germany. If a disease-modifying effect can be proven the results of this analysis may underestimate the true benefits of ACARIZAX.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M Worm
- Clinic for Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - W Green
- York Health Economics Consortium, University of York, York, UK
| | | | - M Taylor
- York Health Economics Consortium, University of York, York, UK
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Rønborg S, Johnsen CR, Theilgaard S, Winther A, Hahn-Pedersen J, Andreasen JN, Olsen J. Cost-minimization analysis of sublingual immunotherapy versus subcutaneous immunotherapy for house dust mite respiratory allergic disease in Denmark. J Med Econ 2016; 19:735-41. [PMID: 26909663 DOI: 10.3111/13696998.2016.1158718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Currently, patients with persistent moderate-to-severe house dust mite (HDM) allergic rhinitis despite use of symptom-relieving medication can be offered subcutaneously administered allergy immunotherapy (SQ SCIT; Alutard SQ) as standard care of treatment in Denmark. Recently, a HDM sublingually administered allergy immunotherapy tablet (SQ SLIT-tablet; ACARIZAX) has been developed for at-home treatment. The purpose of this analysis is to compare the costs related to treatment and administration of SQ SLIT-tablet and SQ SCIT. Methods Assuming equal efficacy between ther SQ SLIT-tablet and SQ SCIT, the cost-minimization analysis was the most appropriate for the comparison. According to guidelines and Summary of Product Characteristics, the treatment duration of SQ SLIT-tablet is 3 years and 3-5 years for SQ SCIT. The courses of treatment vary among patients and, therefore, the costs of treatment have been calculated for an average patient with HDM respiratory allergic disease (RAD) receiving either SQ SLIT-tablet or SQ SCIT. All costs associated with allergy immunotherapy were collected, i.e., cost of medication, administration and treatment setting, and discounted according to Danish guidelines. Comprehensive univariate sensitivity analyses were carried out. Results The treatment costs for an average patient with HDM RAD are €3094 for SQ SLIT-tablet and €3799 for SQ SCIT; however, when adding indirect costs to the calculations the total costs of the treatments are €3697 and €6717 for SQ SLIT-tablet and SQ SCIT, respectively. Therefore, if 2500 patients with HDM RAD were treated with SQ SLIT-tablet instead of SQ SCIT, it would elicit a saving to the healthcare system of ∼€1.8 million. The conclusion was robust to any changes in the sensitivity analysis. Conclusion With regards to the cost of treating Danish patients with HDM RAD, it is clearly cost-saving to treat patients with SQ SLIT-tablet compared to SQ SCIT.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claus R Johnsen
- b Department of Dermato-Allergology , Copenhagen University Hospital , Gentofte , Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | - Jens Olsen
- f Health Economics Department , Incentive , Holte , Denmark
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Demoly P, Passalacqua G, Pfaar O, Sastre J, Wahn U. Patient engagement and patient support programs in allergy immunotherapy: a call to action for improving long-term adherence. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol 2016; 12:34. [PMID: 27478445 PMCID: PMC4966171 DOI: 10.1186/s13223-016-0140-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Allergy immunotherapy (AIT) is acknowledged to produce beneficial mid- and long-term clinical and immunologic effects and increased quality of life in patients with allergic respiratory diseases (such as allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and allergic asthma). However, poor adherence to AIT (due to intentional and/or non-intentional factors) is still a barrier to achieving these benefits. There is an urgent need for patient support programs (PSPs) that encompass communication, educational and motivational components. In the field of AIT, a PSP should be capable of (1) improving adherence, (2) boosting patient engagement, (3) explaining how AIT differs from pharmacological allergy treatments; (4) increasing health literacy about chronic, progressive, immunoglobulin-E-mediated immune diseases, (5) helping the patient to understand and manage local or systemic adverse events, and (6) providing and/or predicting local data on aeroallergen levels. We reviewed the literature in this field and have identified a number of practical issues to be addressed when implementing a PSP for AIT: the measurement of adherence, the choice of technologies, reminders, communication channels and content, the use of "push" messaging and social networks, interactivity, and the involvement of caregivers and patient leaders. A key issue is "hi-tech" (i.e. approaches based mainly on information technology) vs. "hi-touch" (based mainly on interaction with humans, i.e. family members, patient mentors and healthcare professionals). We conclude that multistakeholder PSPs (combining patient-, provider and society-based actions) must now be developed and tested with a view to increasing adherence, efficacy and safety in the field of AIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Demoly
- Department of Pulmonology, Division of Allergy, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, University Hospital of Montpellier, Montpellier, France ; Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Paris 06, UMR-S 1136, IPLESP, Equipe EPAR, Paris, France
| | - Giovanni Passalacqua
- Allergy and Respiratory Diseases, IRCCS San Martino-IST, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Oliver Pfaar
- Center for Rhinology and Allergology, Wiesbaden, Germany ; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Joaquin Sastre
- Allergy Department, Fundación Jimenez Díaz, Madrid, Spain ; CIBERES, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ulrich Wahn
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Immunology, Charité Virchow-Klinikum, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
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Passalacqua G, Sastre J, Pfaar O, Wahn U, Demoly P. Comparison of allergenic extracts from different origins: the value of the FDA's bioequivalent allergy unit (BAU). Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2016; 12:733-9. [PMID: 27215895 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2016.1187561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Allergy immunotherapy (AIT) is the only disease-modifying intervention for the treatment of allergic diseases. The clinical effectiveness of AIT is clearly dose-dependent, so it is important that clinicians can assess and compare the potency of the various products available. However, this is not possible in practice, because manufacturers use different methods to determine potency. Therefore, a clear need exists for adoption of a 'gold-standard' measure of allergenicity. The bioequivalent allergy unit (BAU) is thus far the only allergen unit approved by a regulatory agency (the US Food and Drug Administration), with European regulatory authorities yet to adopt a common unit. AREAS COVERED Using PubMed, we performed a review of the literature on measures of allergen extract potency, use of the BAU, and BAU assessment for grass pollen tablets. Expert commentary: There is an obvious benefit to allergists and patients for having a single, comparable unit across products, and we strongly support the adoption of a single, 'gold-standard' unit of measurement for all products. Use of the BAU allows a clear comparison of the potency of allergen products from different manufacturers, and enables better understanding of the potential reasons for any differences in administration and dosing protocols between these products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Passalacqua
- a Allergy and Respiratory Diseases, IRCCS San Martino-IST , University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy
| | - Joaquín Sastre
- b Allergy Division, Fundación Jimenez Díaz, CIBER of Respiratory Diseases, Institute Carlos III , Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , Madrid , Spain
| | - Oliver Pfaar
- c Center for Rhinology and Allergology , Wiesbaden , Germany.,d Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Faculty Mannheim , Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Heidelberg University , Mannheim , Germany
| | - Ulrich Wahn
- e Department of Paediatric Pulmonology and Immunology, Charité Virchow-Klinikum , Humboldt University , Berlin , Germany
| | - Pascal Demoly
- f Department of Pulmonology, Division of Allergy , Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, University Hospital of Montpellier, Montpellier and Sorbonne Universities , UPMC Paris 06, UMR-S 1136, IPLESP, Equipe EPAR, Paris , France
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Demoly P, Emminger W, Rehm D, Backer V, Tommerup L, Kleine-Tebbe J. Effective treatment of house dust mite-induced allergic rhinitis with 2 doses of the SQ HDM SLIT-tablet: Results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2015; 137:444-451.e8. [PMID: 26292778 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2015.06.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2015] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The SQ HDM SLIT-tablet (ALK) has been developed for treatment of house dust mite (HDM)-induced respiratory allergic disease. OBJECTIVE This trial investigated the efficacy and safety of the SQ HDM SLIT-tablet in adults with moderate-to-severe HDM-induced allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS The trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial conducted in 12 European countries including 992 adults with moderate-to-severe HDM-induced AR despite treatment with pharmacotherapy. Subjects were randomized 1:1:1 to 1 year of daily treatment with placebo, 6 SQ-HDM, or 12 SQ-HDM. The primary end point was the total combined rhinitis score (ie, the sum of rhinitis symptom and medication scores) during the efficacy assessment period (approximately the last 8 weeks of the treatment period). Key secondary end points were rhinitis symptoms, medication scores, quality of life, and the combined rhinoconjunctivitis score. RESULTS Analysis of the primary end point (observed data) demonstrated absolute reductions in total combined rhinitis score of 1.18 (P = .002) and 1.22 (P = .001) compared with placebo for 6 SQ-HDM and 12 SQ-HDM, respectively. The statistically significant treatment effect was evident from 14 weeks of treatment onward. For all key secondary end points, efficacy was confirmed for 12 SQ-HDM, with statistically significant reductions of rhinitis symptoms and medication scores, improved quality of life, and a reduced combined rhinoconjunctivitis score in the efficacy assessment period compared with placebo. The treatment was well tolerated. CONCLUSION The trial confirmed the efficacy and favorable safety profile of both 6 SQ-HDM and 12 SQ-HDM in adults with HDM-induced AR. The treatment effect was present from 14 weeks of treatment onward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Demoly
- Department of Pulmonology, Division of Allergy, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, University Hospital of Montpellier, Paris, France.
| | | | | | - Vibeke Backer
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Jörg Kleine-Tebbe
- Allergy & Asthma Center Westend, Outpatient Clinic & Research Center, Berlin, Germany
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Klimek L, Bachert C, Lukat KF, Pfaar O, Meyer H, Narkus A. Allergy immunotherapy with a hypoallergenic recombinant birch pollen allergen rBet v 1-FV in a randomized controlled trial. Clin Transl Allergy 2015; 5:28. [PMID: 26328056 PMCID: PMC4553934 DOI: 10.1186/s13601-015-0071-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pollen extracts and chemically modified allergoids are used successfully in allergen immunotherapy (AIT). Recombinant extracts offer potential advantages with respect to pharmaceutical quality, standardization and dosing. A hypoallergenic recombinant folding variant of the major birch pollen allergen (rBet v 1-FV) was compared with an established native birch preparation. A pre-seasonal, randomized, actively controlled phase II study was performed in birch pollen allergic rhino-conjunctivitis with or without asthma, GINA I/ II. 51 patients (24 rBet v 1-FV, 27 native extract) started therapy with subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT). Primary end-point was a combined symptom medication score (SMS), changes in nasal provocation test, visual rating score and specific antibody responses secondary end-points. FINDINGS After one pre-seasonal treatment course the combined SMS was 5.86 (median; IQR: 14.02) for the rBet v 1-FV group versus 12.40 (median; IQR: 9.32) for the comparator during the three weeks pollen season (p = 0.330). After treatment in the second year, scores were 3.00 (median; IQR: 6.50) and 2.93 (4.86) respectively. Allergen tolerance in a nasal provocation test improved to a comparable extent in both groups. Significant increases in birch pollen-specific IgG1 and IgG4 were observed in both treatment groups following the first treatment phase and remained significantly raised until the end of the study. CONCLUSION In this first in man, proof of concept phase II trial no statistical difference between rBet v 1-FV and an established natural pollen extract could be observed. rBet v 1-FV could be administered in higher doses than the native protein with no increase in adverse effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION The study was registered in clinicalTrials.gov (NCT00266526).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludger Klimek
- />Center for Rhinology and Allergology, An den Quellen 10, D-65183 Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Claus Bachert
- />Upper Airway Research Laboratory, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Oliver Pfaar
- />Center for Rhinology and Allergology, An den Quellen 10, D-65183 Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Hanns Meyer
- />Medical Department, Allergopharma GmbH & Co. KG, Reinbek, Germany
| | - Annemie Narkus
- />Medical Department, Allergopharma GmbH & Co. KG, Reinbek, Germany
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Cox L, Aaronson D, Casale TB, Honsinger R, Weber R. Allergy immunotherapy safety: location matters! J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2013; 1:455-7. [PMID: 24565616 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2013.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2013] [Revised: 08/01/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Allergy immunotherapy is a highly effective therapy that has been used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis, asthma, and venom allergy for over a century. Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is currently the only US Food and Drug Administration approved form of allergy immunotherapy. In this commentary, we address the safety issues that surround the location of care of SCIT administration in a supervised medical facility versus in the home or other medically unsupervised facility. Although analysis of the data suggests that SCIT has an excellent safety profile, we believe that this safety is largely due to the safety measures that are implemented when SCIT is administered in a medically supervised setting with appropriate staff and equipment to immediately recognize and treat anaphylaxis. In the home or medically unsupervised setting, the preinjection health assessment may not be adequate and access to immediate emergency medical treatment is unlikely to occur. We strongly urge all health care providers to adhere to the current Allergy Immunotherapy Practice Parameter recommendations and that patients be appropriately assessed before and monitored after allergy immunotherapy injections in a medically supervised facility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Cox
- President, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), Milwaukee, Wis
| | - Donald Aaronson
- Executive Director, Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (JCAAI), Palatine, Ill
| | - Thomas B Casale
- Executive Vice President, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), Milwaukee, Wis.
| | - Richard Honsinger
- President, Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (JCAAI), Palatine, Ill
| | - Richard Weber
- President, American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), Arlington Heights, Ill
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