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Timothy grass allergy tablets appear to reduce nasal, ocular symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis
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ORLANDO, Fla. — Grass allergy immunotherapy tablets effectively reduced nasal and ocular symptoms in North American children and adults with grass pollen rhinoconjunctivitis, according to recent findings presented here during the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 2012 Annual Meeting.
David P. Skoner, MD, and colleagues conducted two randomized, double-blind trials in North American adults and children with grass pollen-induced ARC to assess the effect of Timothy grass allergy immunotherapy tablets (grass AIT) treatment on individual allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) symptoms.
“This treatment is a prevention modality that really gets down to the underpinnings of the immune system where the problem with the allergy developed in the first place. It redirects the immune system,” Skoner told Infectious Diseases in Children.
The results indicate that these effects were consistently seen during both the entire grass season and when pollen counts were at peak levels.
“I think this is an important study because it looked at a new form of therapy for people with allergies, delivering immunotherapy under the tongue rather than injection,” said Skoner, director of allergy, asthma, and immunology and vice chairman of clinical research in the department of pediatrics of Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. He is also professor of pediatrics at the Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia and clinical professor of pediatrics, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, W.Va.
The pediatric trial randomized 345 children ages 5 to 17 years, and the adult trial randomized 439 adults. Subjects received once-daily 2,800 BAU grass AIT or placebo for approximately 16 weeks before and during the pollen season. ARC symptoms (runny nose, blocked nose, sneezing, itchy nose, gritty feeling/red/itchy eyes, and watery eyes) were recorded daily and measured on a scale of 0 (no symptoms) to 3 (severe).
Skoner noted that this study was conducted during a weak season, “which probably underestimates the true benefits,” he said.
According to the study results, a reduction was noted in total nasal symptoms (23%); runny nose (23%); sneezing (21%); itching (34%) (P<.05); and congestion scores (16%) (P=NS) in those receiving grass AIT vs. placebo.
Total ocular symptoms were reduced by 28% (-0.39 points, P=.003) in children. Similar results were seen in adults for both nasal and ocular symptoms.
“The bottom line is that in children and adults, nasal and eye allergy symptoms were reduced. Overall safety looked good and there were no documented cases of anaphylaxis. About 30% of people who received this active treatment report oral irritation in the form of itching under the tongue and sometimes in the ears, which can be accompanied by slight swelling. But virtually no hives were seen, and these symptoms are tolerable,” Skoner said. “In my opinion, this will represent a very important addition to our armamentarium in the future.”
Skoner said this treatment could be available as soon as next year.
Reference: Skoner D. Featured Abstract. Timothy Grass Allergy Immunotherapy Tablets Reduce Nasal and Ocular Symptoms Associated With Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis During Grass Pollen Season in North American Children and Adults. Presented at: The AAAAI 2012 Annual Meeting; March 2-6, 2012; Orlando, Fla.
Disclosure: Skoner reports no relevant financial disclosures.
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