Grass Allergen Tablet Research Articles

Influence of time horizon and treatment patterns on cost-effectiveness measures: the case of allergen-specific immunotherapy with Grazax

SummaryThis paper investigates the impact of treatment patterns on the cost effectiveness of GRAZAX® (grass allergen tablet) versus standard care in the management of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in Sweden. Two Grazax treatment patterns are considered: seasonal and World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended specific immunotherapy (SIT). The results are derived from a clinical trial and two model-based analyses. In contrast to the seasonal-use model, the model for WHO-recommended SIT treatment extrapolates the cost of Grazax non-linearly. This is the main methodological distinction between the two analyses. Grazax is cost effective both for WHO-recommended SIT treatment and seasonal treatment, with WHO-recommended SIT treatment being the more cost effective when the time horizon is 6.3 years or more. The time horizon of the analysis becomes a key determinant of the cost effectiveness of Grazax when used as a WHO-recommended SIT treatment.* GRAZAX® is registered trademark of ALK-Abelló, Denmark.

An extract of timothy-grass pollen used as sublingual immunotherapy for summer hay fever

Grazax is a lyophilisate of an extract of Timothy-grass pollen (Phleum pratense) administered by the sublingual route to induce desensitization (or hyposensitization) to grass pollen in subjects with hay fever. Since allergen avoidance measures are limited in hay fever sufferers, present treatment, at least in the United Kingdom, is almost always by symptomatic medication. The effectiveness of symptomatic treatment in hay fever is variable and depends on patient compliance and the judicious prescribing of antihistamines and anti-inflammatory preparations either alone or in combination. Desensitization (hyposensitization or specific immunotherapy) by subcutaneous injection has been shown to be very efficacious and is used for patients who do not adequately respond to drug treatment. A rare side effect of desensitizing injections is anaphylaxis, and so use is limited to specialized centers. For these reasons there has been considerable interest in specific immunotherapy by the sublingual route. Grazax has recently been approved in the United Kingdom. It is commenced at least four months prior to the expected start of the grass pollen season and in line with injection immunotherapy treatment will be recommended for a period of three years with annual reviews to assess patient outcomes. Grazax grass allergen tablets are well tolerated in patients with grass pollen allergy with most adverse events being mild local reactions. There have been no instances of anaphylaxis. In randomized double-blind placebo controlled trials Grazax reduces symptoms and medication scores in adults with hay fever. The long-term effects of Grazax are currently being investigated.

Sublingual immunotherapy with a grass allergen tablet improved symptoms and quality of life in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis

Sublingual immunotherapy with a grass allergen tablet improved symptoms and quality of life in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis

Once-daily sublingual allergen-specific immunotherapy improves quality of life in patients with grass pollen-induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis: A double-blind, randomised study

The effect of sublingual immunotherapy on quality of life (QoL) was examined in patients with grass pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis. Patients (n = 855) were randomised to once-daily grass allergen tablets (2,500; 25,000; or 75,000 SQ-T Phleum pratense extract; GRAZAX or placebo. Treatment was initiated 8 weeks before the start of the grass pollen season and continued throughout. If symptoms were present, patients received loratadine or placebo rescue medication. There were three major findings: in patients using loratadine, grass allergen tablets provided QOL benefits over placebo; Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) score was 17% (p = 0.006) and 20% (p = 0.020) greater with 75,000 SQ-T tablet than with placebo at first and second seasonal visit, respectively; in patients not using loratadine, grass allergen tablets improved QoL more than placebo; RQLQ score was 21% greater (p = 0.021) with 75,000 SQ-T tablet at second seasonal visit; grass tablets (without loratadine) had a greater effect on QoL than loratadine alone. RQLQ score was 26% (p = 0.014) greater with 75,000 SQ-T tablets than loratadine at second seasonal visit. These data show that sublingual immunotherapy with grass allergen tablets improves QOL in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, reduces symptoms, and that this effect is greater than rescue antihistamine alone.

Efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy with grass allergen tablets for seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis

Allergen immunotherapy (desensitization) by injection is effective for seasonal allergic rhinitis and has been shown to induce long-term disease remission. The sublingual route also has potential, although definitive evidence from large randomized controlled trials has been lacking. The aim was to confirm the efficacy of a rapidly dissolving grass allergen tablet (GRAZAX, ALK-Abelló, Hørsholm, Denmark) compared with placebo in patients with seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis. A longitudinal, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study that included 51 centers from 8 countries. Subjects were randomized (1:1) to receive a grass allergen tablet or placebo once daily. A total of 634 subjects with a history of grass pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis for at least 2 years and confirmation of IgE sensitivity (positive skin prick test and serum-specific IgE) were included in the study. Subjects commenced treatment at least 16 weeks before the grass pollen season, and treatment was continued throughout the entire season. The primary efficacy analysis showed a reduction of 30% in rhinoconjunctivitis symptom score (P < .0001) and a reduction of 38% in rhinoconjunctivitis medication score (P < .0001) compared with placebo. Side effects mainly comprised mild itching and swelling in the mouth that was in general well tolerated and led to treatment withdrawal in less than 4% of participants. There were no serious local side effects and no severe systemic adverse events. Sublingual immunotherapy with grass allergen tablets was effective in grass pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis. The tablet was well tolerated with minor local side effects. The grass allergen tablet represents a safe alternative to injection immunotherapy suitable for home use.

Sublingual immunotherapy with once-daily grass allergen tablets: A randomized controlled trial in seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis

Specific immunotherapy is the only treatment modality that has the potential to alter the natural course of allergic diseases. Sublingual immunotherapy has been developed to facilitate access to this form of treatment and to minimize serious adverse events. To investigate the efficacy and safety of sublingual grass allergen tablets in seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. A multinational, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted during 2002 and 2003. Fifty-five centers in 8 countries included 855 participants age 18 to 65 years who gave a history of grass pollen-induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and had a positive skin prick test and elevated serum allergen-specific IgE to Phleum pratense. Participants were randomized to 2500, 25,000, or 75,000 SQ-T grass allergen tablets (GRAZAX; ALK-Abelló, Hørsholm, Denmark) or placebo for sublingual administration once daily. Mean duration of treatment was 18 weeks. Average rhinoconjunctivitis scores during the season showed moderate reductions of symptoms (16%) and medication use (28%) for the grass allergen tablet 75,000 SQ-T (P = .0710; P = .0470) compared with placebo. Significantly better rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life scores (P = .006) and an increased number of well days (P = .041) were also observed. Efficacy was increased in the subgroup of patients who completed the recommended preseasonal treatment of at least 8 weeks before the grass pollen season (symptoms, 21%, P = .0020; and medication use, 29%, P = .0120). No safety concerns were observed. This study confirms dose-dependent efficacy of the grass allergen tablet. Although further studies are required, the greater tolerability of the tablet may permit immunotherapy to be available to a much broader group of patients with impaired quality of life caused by grass pollen allergy. For patients with grass pollen allergy, sublingual immunotherapy is well tolerated and can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

Longitudinal Study of Sublingual Immunotherapy with SQ Standardized Grass Allergen Tablet - Interim Safety Results

Longitudinal Study of Sublingual Immunotherapy with SQ Standardized Grass Allergen Tablet - Interim Safety Results

Specific immunotherapy with SQ standardized grass allergen tablets in asthmatics with rhinoconjunctivitis

The best way to prevent allergy symptoms is to treat the allergic condition. Specific immunotherapy with grass allergen tablets 75,000 SQ-T (Grazax, Phleum pratense, ALK-Abelló) is safe and efficacious in rhinoconjunctivitis patients. As rhinoconjunctivitis often co-exists with asthma, we aimed to confirm safety and efficacy in grass allergic subjects with asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial was performed 10-14 weeks prior to and during the grass pollen season 2004. About 114 subjects were randomized 2 : 1 to grass allergen tablets or placebo. The primary end points were average asthma medication and symptom scores during the grass pollen season, and secondary variables were average rhinoconjunctivitis symptom and medication scores during the grass pollen season. Additionally, number of well days was defined post hoc. Differences in asthma medication and symptom scores between the treatment groups were negligible. The mean difference in asthma medication score was below 0.1 and 0.3 for asthma symptom score [a single inhalation of salbutamol (200 microg) was scored 2]. No serious adverse events were reported. A reduction in rhinoconjunctivitis symptom score of 37% (P = 0.004) and a 41% (P = 0.036) reduction in medication score was found in the grass pollen season for subjects treated with the grass allergen tablet compared with placebo. Well days increased by 54% (P = 0.002). Self-administration of the grass allergen tablet was safe. The treatment did not impair asthma control and confirmed considerable symptom prevention and reduced medication use. It addresses the allergic condition and represents a baseline treatment for grass pollen allergy.

Safety of a SQ‐standardised grass allergen tablet for sublingual immunotherapy: a randomized, placebo‐controlled trial

Sublingual treatment of grass pollen induced rhinoconjunctivitis might provide easier access to specific immunotherapy (SIT) and minimize the risk of serious adverse events (AEs) compared to subcutaneous SIT. To identify a safe dose range for once-daily administration of a grass allergen tablet in participants with grass pollen induced seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis. A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled Phase I trial was conducted outside the grass pollen season. Seven dosage groups [25,000, 75,000, 150,000, 300,000, 500,000, 750,000, or 1,000,000 standardized quality tablet (SQ-T)], consisting of 12 participants randomized either to active treatment or placebo (3 : 1) daily for 28 days, commenced treatment in a staggered manner at intervals of approximately 1 week to allow for intermittent safety reviews. The grass allergen tablet did not cause any serious, systemic or significant (leading to withdrawal) AEs. The overall incidence of AEs was 74% (1,013 events); all of mild or moderate intensity and most considered treatment-related. The most frequently reported treatment-related AEs, including irritation of the throat, and itching sensations in the mouth and ears, increased with dose. These were primarily mild in intensity, started shortly after medication intake and lasted for minutes to a few hours maximum. Objective oral findings were also dose-dependent. No clinically significant observations were found in safety laboratory, vital signs and 12-lead ECG. A sublingual grass allergen tablet in doses up to 1,000,000 SQ-T daily caused no serious or systemic AEs displaying a safety profile that allows further investigation as once-daily self-medication.