Effect of AIT in children including potential to prevent the development of asthma

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
• Respiratory Medicine
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Allergic diseases, particularly in children, necessitate interventions that may alter their natural progression.
• Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in children is a precursor to asthma, highlighting the need for preventive strategies.
• Specific immunotherapy has demonstrated potential in modifying allergic disease trajectories.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the asthma-preventive effect of standardized grass Allergy Immunotherapy (AIT) in children with grass allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
• To evaluate if Grazax® AIT can modify disease progression and prevent the onset of asthma in a pediatric population.
• To assess the long-term impact of AIT on the development of asthma in children with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

Main Methods:

• The Grazax® Asthma Prevention (GAP) trial is a 5-year, multicenter, multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective study.
• The trial includes children aged 5-12 years diagnosed with grass allergic rhinoconjunctivitis but without current asthma.
• Participants receive either standardized grass AIT (Grazax®) or a placebo.

Main Results:

• Four previous studies indicated good clinical outcomes and safety profiles for grass AIT in pediatric allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
• Grazax® AIT has been shown to induce disease modification in allergic conditions.
• Results from the GAP trial are pending and will provide insights into asthma prevention.

Conclusions:

• Allergy specific immunotherapy holds potential for altering the natural course of allergic diseases in children.
• The GAP trial aims to determine if grass AIT can prevent asthma development in children with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
• Further results are anticipated in a few years to confirm the asthma preventive effects of Grazax® AIT.