Depigmented, Polymerized Cat Epithelium Extract Is Safe and Improves Rhinitis and Asthma Symptoms in Cat-Allergic...

Exposure to cat allergens is often difficult to avoid. Here, we evaluated the safety and effectiveness of a depigmented, polymerized cat epithelium extract (Dpg-pol-cat) for the treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma.

Real-world, retrospective study of patients ≥12 years of age with cat allergy and moderate to severe allergic rhinitis/rhinoconjunctivitis, with or without asthma, who started allergen immunotherapy (AIT) with Dpg-pol-cat extract during routine visits to the Allergy Department. Safety and effectiveness (improvement in FEV1) of AIT were evaluated. The use of rescue medication and patient perceptions were also assessed.

A total of 62 patients were included, of whom 34 (54.8%) received AIT for at least 12 months. There were 15 adverse events, 8 local and 7 systemic, of which 3 led to discontinuation of AIT. Patients with moderate to severe rhinitis decreased from 88.2% at baseline to 29.4% at 12 months (p < 0.0001) and patients with moderate asthma decreased from 76.5% to 38.2% (p = 0.0004). FEV1 improved from a mean (standard deviation) of 3,188.9 (771.4) mL to 3,419.6 (878.4) mL (p = 0.0023). The use of rescue medication for rhinitis decreased from 94.1% to 23.5% (p < 0.0001). All patients requiring rescue medication for conjunctivitis (20.6%) were off medication at 12 months, and 97.1% and 92.6% of patients reported improvement in rhinitis and asthma symptoms, respectively.

AIT with Dpg-pol-cat extract shows a favorable safety and effectiveness profile in patients with allergic rhinitis/rhinoconjunctivitis due to cat allergy, with or without allergic asthma, representing a valuable treatment option for these patients.