Newswise — Researchers are presenting nearly 350 abstracts on investigational findings in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases at the ACAAI Annual Meeting in Dallas, Nov. 8-14. Following are highlights of some key studies on allergen immunotherapy.
"Identification of Risk Factors for Systemic Reactions to Allergen Immunotherapy." (Abstract #25: Nov. 11 at 1:00 p.m., Clemmens von Pirquet Award) " Matthew A. Rank, M.D., Rochester, M.D., et al " Investigators compared allergen immunotherapy patients (AIT) with and without systemic reactions to identify risk factors that might guide patient counseling and improve AIT safety. They found no statistically significant relationship between systemic reactions to AIT and gender, asthma status, phase (build-up versus maintenance), beta-blocker medication or Ace-inhibitor medication usage, allergen type, or initial skin prick test size.
"Complex Immunotherapy and Bacteriostasis: Can We Meet the Proposed Standard?" (Abstract #27: Nov. 11 at 1:30 p.m. " Clemmens von Pirquet Award) " William B. Cherry, M.D., Rochester, Minn., et al " Investigators show for the first time that the practicing allergist can easily meet the bacteriostasis standard recommended by the Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy when mixing immunotherapy vaccines. All 25 actual immunotherapy vaccine mixtures met or exceeded the proposed standard that "allergen extract dilutions must be bacteriostatic meaning that they must contain phenol concentrations of at least 0.25 percent or if phenol concentration is less than 0.25 percent, the extract must have a glycerin concentration of at least 20 percent.
"Safe and Effective Rapid Desensitization: A Cumulative Experience of 2017 Patients." (Abstract #30: Nov. 11 at 2:15 p.m.) " William L. Smits, M.D., Fort Wayne, Ind., et al " Authors note that conventional immunotherapy is effective in treating allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. Rush immunotherapy, or rapid desensitization, offers advantages of rapid response, improved compliance and cost effectiveness. Investigators confirm that maintenance immunotherapy can be reached quickly, safely and effectively under careful supervision with rapid desensitization. Although they warn that caution must be exercised when using this procedure, systemic reactions occur less frequently using a lower targeted final dose and more aggressive pre-medication than previous literature describes.
"Immunologic Effect and Safety of Ultra-Short Course Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (uSCIT) with Pollinex Quattro Ragweed." (Abstract #40: Nov. 12 at 2:45 p.m.) " William C. Howland, III, M.D., Austin, Texas, et al " In this study of 68 ragweed-allergic patients, investigators compare three doses of Pollinex Quattro Ragweed, a new vaccine comprising tyrosine-adsorbed ragweed pollen allergoids with the immunologic adjuvant monophosphoryl lipid A. After four subcutaneous injections, Pollinex Quattro Ragweed effectively increased ragweed-specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG4 levels in a dose-dependent manner, without safety or tolerability concerns.
HEREDITARY ANGIOEDEMA (HAE)
"Results of a Phase 3 Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial, EDEMA3®: A Study of Subcutaneous DX-88 (Ecallantide) in Patients with Hereditary Angioedema." (Abstract #15: Nov. 11 at 2:30 p.m.) " Robyn J. Levy, M.D., Atlanta, et al " Patients 10 years of age and older experiencing acute hereditary angioedema (HAE) episodes and who received subcutaneous DX-88 (ecallantide) showed statistically significant improvement in all HAE symptoms and more rapid overall improvement compared to placebo. Escallantide is a highly potent specific inhibitor of plasma kallikrein. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study, investigators found that ecallantide was well-tolerated, with no life-threatening adverse events or treatment-related severe adverse events.
ABOUT ACAAI
American College of Allergy, Asthma and ImmunologyThe ACAAI is a professional medical organization headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill., that promotes excellence in the practice of the subspecialty of allergy and immunology. The College, comprising more than 5,000 allergists-immunologists and related health care professionals, fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy and research.
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