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Three-injection grass-pollen ILIT safe, effective for teens
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HOUSTON ─ Three injections of intralymphatic immunotherapy appeared safe for the treatment of teenagers with grass pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis, according to late-breaking data presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Meeting.
“We all know that allergies are in epidemic proportions. The good news is that we have good treatment options for allergies, but one of our best treatments for allergies — allergy shots — are incredibly underutilized because of inconvenience,” Amber M. Patterson, MD, of Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio, said during a press conference.
Amber M. Patterson
Intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT) is an ultrasound-guided lymph node injection administered between late winter and early spring, prior to pollen season. It requires only three injections.
European studies have shown its safety and efficacy in adults, Patterson said.
Patterson and colleagues conducted a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled pilot study that included 15 adolescents and young adults with grass pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis. Three of the patients had asthma.
Patients received ILIT with Center-Al Phleum pretense 500 PNU/mL (ALK).
Escalating doses were administered during the course of three visits, each at least 4 weeks apart. Researchers monitored patients 2 hours, 5 hours and 1 week following the injections, and they reported no differences in total safety scores between active and placebo groups, Patterson said.
“We were pleased with the fact that these injections were remarkably well tolerated,” Patterson said. “The groups did not have a significant difference in adverse reactions, and those who did have reactions resolved without treatment.”
Preliminary efficacy data are promising and currently being analyzed, Patterson told Healio.com/Psychiatry. – by Samantha Costa
Reference:
Patterson AM, et al. Abstract L22. Presented at: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Meeting; Feb. 20-24, 2015; Houston.
Disclosure: Patterson reports no relevant financial disclosures.