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Original Article

 

Phase II/III Clinical Trial to Assess the Tolerability and Immunological Effect of a New Updosing Phase of Dermatophagoides Mix–Based Immunotherapy

 

Tabar AI1, González Delgado P2, Sánchez Hernández C3, Basagaña Torrento M4, Moreno Benítez F5, Arina M6

1Hospital Virgen del Camino, Pamplona, Spain
2Hospital GU de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
3CPE Virgen de la Cinta, Huelva, Spain
4HU Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
5Clínica Dr. Lobatón, Cádiz, Spain
6Medical Department, ALK-Abelló, Madrid, Spain

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2015; Vol. 25(1): 40-46

 

 Abstract


Background: Immunologically enhanced subcutaneous specific immunotherapy (SCIT) has been developed with a fast and simplified updosing phase containing equal parts of the house dust mites (HDM) Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae (Dermatophagoides mix) adsorbed on aluminum hydroxide.

Objective: To evaluate the tolerability and immunological impact of the updosing phase of this new allergen extract formulation.

Material and Methods: We performed a multicenter, open-label, single-arm, phase II/III clinical trial. The inclusion criteria were a clinical history of rhinitis/conjunctivitis due to HDM (with/without asthma) and sensitization to HDM (positive specific IgE and skin prick test). Five updosing injections of Dermatophagoides mix (300, 600, 3000, 6000, and 15 000 SQ+) were administered at weekly intervals with 1 maintenance injection (15 000 SQ+) 2 weeks after the last updosing injection. Two days after each visit, patients were contacted by telephone to follow up on any adverse events. IgE-blocking factor, IgG4, and immediate skin reactivity were evaluated.

Results: The sample comprised 102 patients (mean [SD] age, 29.3 [7.7] years; male, 52.9%). There were 117 adverse drug reactions (ADR): 101 were local, regardless of reaction size, in 48 (47.1%) patients and 7 were systemic (all grade I) in 5 (4.9%) patients. All ADRs were mild, except for 1, which was moderate. Six weeks of treatment led to statistically significant increases in IgE-blocking factor and IgG4, as well as a significant reduction in immediate skin reactivity.

Conclusion: This new updosing phase of Dermatophagoides mix–based immunotherapy had a good tolerability profile and induced a significant immunological effect.

Key words: Specific immunotherapy. Allergens. House dust mites. Antigens. Immune response. Subcutaneous injection. Skin reactivity. Tolerability assessment.