An investigative ragweed immunology tablet has shown promising results in stage III clinical trials. The ragweed allergy drug was developed in a partnership between the US pharmaceutical giant Merck and a Danish biopharma company, ALK Abello.

The partners aren’t saying much about the new therapy yet, holding back for a presentation at an upcoming medical conference in the US. “We are very excited by the successful outcome of these important studies in the first large program with a sublingual ragweed immunotherapy tablet, said ALK’s Chief Executive Officer Jens Bager, “The data analysis shows robust results and we are looking forward to Merck’s dialogue with the health authorities on the registration process for this new, innovative product.”

A total of 1350 allergy sufferers took part in the studies, which were conducted in the US. The new sublingual (placed under the tongue) immunology tablet was reportedly well tolerated, and significantly reduced allergy symptoms and the need for allergy medication in the study participants.

An estimated 60 million Americans suffer from allergy symptoms, and approximately 34 million American adults and children have asthma. About half of allergy sufferers react to ragweed. An allergic reaction can involve sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, and itchy eyes, ears and throat.

Ragweed has similar proteins to melon, and those who are allergic to ragweed can also experience itching, burning or stinging in the mouth, throat and tongue when they eat the fruit. They may also react to bananas and cucumber.

Allergies play a significant role in the development or worsening of asthma symptoms and about 80% of asthmatic children have allergies. Ragweed can worsen asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, tightness in the chest and shortness of breath.

An allergic reaction is an overreaction of the immune system to a normally harmless substance (such as dust or pollen) that it mistakenly sees as a foreign invader. Conventional allergy treatment is directed at blocking or suppressing this immune response. While this approach can relieve allergy symptoms, it does nothing to address the underlying cause of the allergic reaction.

Immunotherapy is an alternate approach that attempts to train the body not to overreact to an allergy-provoking substance, or allergen.
Allergy shots are a commonly used form of immunotherapy. The injections contain extracts of the specific allergens the patient reacts to. After receiving regular injections of minute amounts of the allergens over for a period of time, the body’s immune system lessens its allergic response to them.

While most people associate spring with allergies, late summer and early fall are peak season for ragweed. Ragweed grows rampant across the country, often along roadsides and vacant lots, and almost everyone in the US is exposed to its airborne pollen. Most people who are allergic to other kinds of pollen are allergic to ragweed.

ALK Abello and Merck are also jointly developing immunotherapy allergy treatments for grass pollen (already on the market in a dozen countries as prescription Grazax), and dust mite allergies.

A cellulose powder produced from pine trees has proven effective in reducing allergic rhinitis in children, with no adverse effects. The pine powder is puffed into the nostrils, where it forms a protective barrier that allergens can not penetrate.

While the cellulose nasal spray is being used increasingly used in many countries, there had not been a scientific study proving the powder’s effectiveness until 2009. That spring the Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden conducted a study during the peak of birch pollen season.

The study included 53 children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 with allergic rhinitis (irritated and inflamed nasal passages, usually accompanied by nasal congestion and a runny nose). All of the allergy sufferers were taking daily oral antihistamines. Some of the group was given a placebo along with their antihistamines, while the others used antihistamines and the cellulose powder.
(more…)