Grass imunotherapy tablet has a long-term clinical efficacy in rhinoconjunctivitis

The study investigated the efficacy one year after a 3-year period of daily treatment with the grass immunotherapy tablet Grazax (ALK-Abelló, Hørsholm, Denmark).

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 275 adults with a history of grass pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis inadequately controlled by symptomatic medications. Immunologic end points included grass pollen–specific serum IgG4 and IgE-blocking factor.

Symptom improvements were shown during 3 years' treatment. One year after treatment, the active group showed sustained reductions in mean rhinoconjunctivitis symptom scores and medication scores when compared with placebo. This level was similar to the efficacy observed during the 3-year treatment period.

Clinical benefit was accompanied by immunologic changes.

The authors concluded that 3 years of treatment with the grass immunotherapy tablet resulted in persistent clinical improvement and immunologic changes that were sustained 1 year after treatment. This could translate to disease modification and long-term benefits.

Efficacy of Timothy grass allergy sublingual immunotherapy tablet: 37% symptoms reduction relative to placebo http://buff.ly/1G20dYB


Pollen-producing plants (weeds and trees) in Omaha, Nebraska. V. Dimov, M.D.

References:
Long-term clinical efficacy in grass pollen–induced rhinoconjunctivitis after treatment with SQ-standardized grass allergy immunotherapy tablet. Stephen R. Durham et al. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Volume 125, Issue 1, January 2010, Pages 131-138.e7.
Interactive Allergy Map by Greer Labs. Click your state to find region-specific, common airborne allergens there.
Timothy grass allergy immunotherapy tablets safe and effective in American children with allergic rhinitis http://goo.gl/tsKL4
Efficacy and safety of timothy grass allergy immunotherapy tablet treatment in North American adults - it works. http://goo.gl/ePOFG
Sustained effects of grass pollen tablet: Combined symptom and medication scores demonstrated a 33% reduction, Allergy, 2011.
Sublingual grass immunotherapy (SLIT): Confirmation of disease modification 2 years after 3 years of treatment. JACI, 2012.
Image source: Fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) flowers in Waterloo, Ontario, Wikipedia,
Giligone, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License.