Vaccine against hayfever in tablet form

Symptoms of hay fever can be very serious. A vaccine in pill form that reduces the symptoms of hay fever will be launched in the UK early next year.

In trials, the Grazax vaccine was more effective than traditional anti-histamine and nasal sprays, reducing symptoms by up to 30%. Initially, the once-daily tablet will only be available in prescriptions, and is recommended to patients who do not respond to current treatments.

Developed by ALK-Abello, the vaccine is used at least eight weeks in advance and in the pollen-filled summer. It is a form of immune system therapy (treated with anesthesia) consisting of an extract of cat-tail grass, and is known to be effective against all types of grass pollens that cause hayfever in Europe.

During tests, it not only reduced the symptoms of hayfever, but also reduced the need for ' rescue ' re-treatment done when symptoms reappeared.

Anti-histamine tablets have been shown to reduce hayfever symptoms by up to 20% through a placebo treatment and nasal sprays reduce up to 30%.

However, international clinical trials of Grazax suggest that it is 50% more effective than placebo in making patients feel better.

Grazax (Photo: oeaz.at)

About 83% of patients who took the medicine said their hayfever was better than in previous years.

Its effects also last much longer. The effect of a steroid nasal spray gradually disappears in about a week. In contrast, only one course of Grazax can prevent hayfever during that season.

Long-term inspection

Researchers at the British Medical Research Council and Asthma Center for Allergic Asthma Systems, collaborate with colleagues in the UK and abroad, now have a long-term evaluation plan of the vaccine vaccine over the next five years.

Grass pollen immunotherapy by injection has been shown to have long-term effects, reducing symptoms in patients for at least three years after they stop injecting.

It is hoped that the Grazax vaccine can achieve something similar.

Researcher Professor Stephen Durham from the Asthma Center said: 'We know that this pill is effective, that it improves the quality of life and reduces the need for treatment. What we must consider now is the long-term benefits of treatment. '

Professor Durham said the pill may be popular with patients. He predicted it could help about a million people in the UK alone. However, the treatment may be expensive, costing hundreds of pounds and therefore the chance of using the drug may be limited.

He said: ' Patients generally prefer to take medicine rather than inject drugs. Giving a quick pill to your mouth for a few months before the grassy season will be a much better treatment for them. '

Higher accessibility

Currently, grass-based immunosuppressive therapy must be done by injecting drugs at NHS specialty allergy hospitals, because there is a small risk of common allergic reactions.

This ' grass ' pill will increase the ability to use this form of treatment for people with severe hay fever.

Professor from the Royal University and Royal Brompton Hospital said Grazax has been proven safe in tests on about 2,000 patients. The only side effects are itching in certain parts and swollen under the tongue.

Hay fever, one in every four people, is an allergy to pollen - male reproductive organs of plants - from grass and plants. When they come into contact with the tissue in the nose, they cause a body reaction to antibodies that can cause congestion, sneezing, itching and runny nose.

This disease is more common in the summer especially during the Wimbledon tennis season when the level of pollen is highest.

Lindsay McManus, British Institute of Allergy, said: 'Anything that can help people with hayfever must be a good thing. I don't think that people fully realize how this disease can have a great impact on human life. Therapy on the immune system in a simple form like a pill is a big step forward. '

Durham's research team will be very welcome to those who have hayfever voluntarily participate in further research to find new treatments for the disease.

Thien Kim