MedPath

Efficacy and Safety/Tolerability of Grass MATA MPL

Phase 3
Completed
Conditions
Type I Hypersensitivity
Interventions
Biological: Grass MATA MPL
Biological: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT00414141
Lead Sponsor
Allergy Therapeutics
Brief Summary

Grass MATA MPL has been developed by Allergy Therapeutics (UK) Ltd. to provide pre-seasonal specific immunotherapy for patients with proven type I hypersensitivity to cross reacting grass pollens causing rhinitis and/or conjunctivitis with or without mild to moderate asthma bronchiale. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of Grass MATA MPL versus placebo in grass-allergic subjects following 4 subcutaneous injections of study medication administered before the start of the 2007 grass pollen season.

Detailed Description

Grass MATA MPL has been developed by Allergy Therapeutics (UK9 Ltd.to provide pre-seasonal specific immunotherapy for patients with proven type I hypersensitivity to cross reacting grass pollens causing rhinitis and/or conjunctivitis with or without mild to moderate asthma bronchiale. Grass MATA MPL is produced as a re-formulation of the Allergy Therapeutics product Pollinex Quattro, which has been used in Europe since 1999 on a 'named patient' basis (with approximately 65,000 treatment courses containing grass pollens).

Grass MATA MPL contains an extract of the 13 grass pollens. This extract is chemically modified with glutaraldehyde to produce the active ingredient, an allergoid. Such modification reduces the reactivity of the extract with IgE antibody. However, a simultaneous reduction in other important immunological properties, such as IgG and T cell reactivity is not seen. The modified extract is adsorbed to L-tyrosine as a depot formulation. MPL®, a purified, detoxified glycolipid derived from the cell walls of Salmonella minnesota, is also included in the current product formulation. This excipient/adjuvant is included to increase the immunogenic effect of the product and to enhance the switch from an allergen-specific TH2 to TH1-like T cell profile.

The current formulation is designed to provide a product that will be efficacious with only 4 injections, in contrast to the longer schedules currently in use with unmodified extracts. The product will also be safer to use than a formulation containing a similar mass of unmodified allergen extract as regards its ability to cause severe local allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, because of its reduced reactivity with IgE antibody. The modification is greater than 75%, so that only a small amount of unmodified allergen is remaining in the product.

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of Grass MATA MPL versus placebo in grass-allergic subjects following 4 subcutaneous injections of study medication administered before the start of the 2007 grass pollen season.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
1028
Inclusion Criteria
  • Have given written informed consent;
  • Are 18 to 59 years of age;
  • Have a history of moderate to severe symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis and/or conjunctivitis ascribed to grass pollen exposure that required repeated use of antihistamines, nasal steroids, and/or leukotriene modifiers;
  • Have a history of moderate to severe symptoms in the past grass pollen season as determined by a score of ≥ 5 on the Disease Severity Questionnaire;
  • Have a positive skin prick test to grass pollen mix [wheal (longest diameter) ≥ 5 mm greater than the negative control] and a positive RAST or equivalent test (class ≥ 2) to grass pollen mix;
  • Have a positive skin prick test to histamine [wheal (longest diameter) of ≥ 3 mm greater than the negative control];
  • Have a negative skin prick test to the negative control (redness with wheal ≤ 2 mm is acceptable);
  • Have a forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) ≥ 80% of predicted, with a FEV1/FVC ratio ≥ 70%;
  • Women of childbearing potential must be using a medically acceptable method of birth control [i.e. double barrier method of contraception (e.g., intrauterine device and condom, spermicide and condom), stable hormonal contraceptive for ≥ 90 days prior to the study or if < 90 days additional use of a double barrier method until 90 days reached, sexual abstinence or have a vasectomized partner until study completion], and have a negative β-HCG pregnancy test result at Visits 1 and 2;
  • Are able to understand and comply with study instructions;
  • Demonstrate proper use of electronic diary with at least 85% compliance (i.e., correct entries for symptoms on 6 of 7 days) during the 1-week period between Visit 1 and Visit 2.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Are pregnant or lactating

  • Have asthma requiring the daily use of controller medication;

  • Had an emergency room visit or admission for asthma in the 12 months prior to Visit 1;

  • Have the presence of secondary alteration at the affected organ (i.e., emphysema, bronchiectasis, nasal polyps, chronic sinusitis);

  • Have auto-immune disease (e.g., liver, kidney, thyroid, nervous system);

  • Have acute or subacute (historic) atopic dermatitis, chronic dermatitis, urticaria factitia, and/or urticaria due to physical/chemical influence or any other skin conditions which might interfere with the interpretation of the skin prick test results;

  • Have a history or presence of diabetes (both insulin dependent and non-dependent), cancer or concomitant illness (e.g., cardiac, metabolic, renal, hepatic, gastrointestinal, dermatologic, venereal, hematologic, neurologic, or psychiatric diseases or disorders) that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would pose a safety risk or compromise the interpretation of efficacy for this grass immunotherapy;

  • Have a history of angioedema;

  • Have manifest pulmonary or cardiac insufficiency;

  • Have current malignant disease;

  • Have disorders of tyrosine metabolism (i.e., alcaptonuria, tyrosinemia);

  • Have an acute or chronic infection;

  • Have any clinically significant abnormal laboratory value (as determined by the Investigator) at Visit 1;

  • Perennial Allergens: Have a positive skin prick test [wheal (longest diameter) ≥ 3mm greater than the negative control] at Visit 1 to: house dust mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae), molds (Cladosporium cladosporioides, Alternaria alternata, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Aspergillus fumigatus), or epithelia (cat, dog, and horse). In these cases, a careful history is to be taken and if moderate or severe symptoms are reported when exposed to the aforementioned allergens, the subject is to be excluded. Exception: the source of the allergen (cat, dog, horse) can be avoided for the entire study. Subjects with mild or no symptoms when exposed to the aforementioned allergens during the 3 years prior to Visit 1 will be allowed to enroll. Mild symptoms are defined as: sign/symptom clearly present, but minimal awareness; easily tolerated;

  • Only for the USA and Canada:Autumn/Winter Flowering Plant Allergens: Have a positive skin prick test [wheal (longest diameter) ≥ 3mm greater than the negative control] at Visit 1 to: ragweed (Ambrosia sp.) or mountain cedar/mountain juniper (Juniperus ashei). In these cases, a careful history is to be taken and if moderate to severe symptoms are reported when exposed to the aforementioned allergens the subject is to be excluded. Exception: one or both of the listed allergens must not be tested if they are not common to the Investigator's region or, if common to the region, the treatment phase of the study can be initiated at least 30 days after the end of the allergen(s) season. Subjects with mild or no symptoms when exposed to the aforementioned allergens during the 3 years prior to Visit 1 will be allowed to enroll. Mild symptoms are defined as: sign/symptom clearly present, but minimal awareness, easily tolerated;

  • Springtime Flowering Plant Allergens: Applies only to subjects living in geographic areas where springtime flowering plant season and grass season overlap and/or when treatment phase cannot be completed at least 30 days prior to the start of the springtime flowering plant season. Otherwise, no testing of the following allergens is necessary; Have a positive skin prick test [wheal (longest diameter) ≥ 3mm greater than the negative control] at Visit 1 to: birch (Betula sp.), oak (Quercus sp.), sycamore/plane (Platanus sp.), beech (Fagus sp.), ash (Fraxinus sp.), or poplar (Populus sp.). In these cases, a careful history is to be taken and if moderate to severe symptoms are reported when exposed to the aforementioned allergens the subject is to be excluded. Subjects with mild or no symptoms when exposed to the aforementioned allergens during the 3 years prior to Visit 1 will be allowed to enroll. Mild symptoms are defined as: sign/symptom clearly present, but minimal awareness, easily tolerated;

  • Only for the USA and Canada:Summertime Flowering Plant Allergens: Have a positive skin prick test [wheal (longest diameter) ≥ 3mm greater than the negative control] at Visit 1 to: Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon). In these cases, a careful history is to be taken and if moderate to severe symptoms are reported when exposed to the aforementioned allergens the subject is to be excluded. Exception: the listed allergen must not be tested if it is not common to the Investigator's region. Subjects with mild or no symptoms when exposed to the aforementioned allergens during the 3 years prior to Visit 1 will be allowed to enroll. Mild symptoms are defined as: sign/symptom clearly present, but minimal awareness; easily tolerated;

  • Have inadequate washout period prior to screening (Visit 1). The following washout periods prior to Visit 1 are acceptable:

    • Oral or parenteral corticosteroids (1 month)
    • Inhaled, ocular or intranasal corticosteroids (1 day)
    • Mast cell stabilizers (7 days)
    • Intranasal or systemic decongestants including cold preparations (1 day)
    • Leukotriene modifiers (7 days)
    • Afrin (oxymetazoline hydrochloride) (14 days)
    • Antihistamines
  • Once-daily or twice-daily antihistamines (7 days)

  • Short-acting 3 or 4 times a day antihistamines (3 days)

  • Hydroxyzine (14 days)

    • H2-blockers (1 day)
    • Other anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, and any other medications (e.g., anticholinergic agents and tricyclic antidepressants) which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may interfere with the study objectives should be considered on a case-by-case basis
    • Topical skin medications on the forearms (14 days);
  • Require use of beta blockers;

  • Are unable to receive epinephrine therapy (i.e., use of epinephrine is contraindicated);

  • Have a history of anaphylactic reactions to foods, insect venom, exercise, or drugs;

  • Have been treated with a preparation containing MPL® within 6 months prior to Visit 1;

  • Have diseases with a pathogenesis interfering with the immune response, and who have received medication which could interfere with the results of the study;

  • Have a history of allergy, hypersensitivity or intolerance to the excipients of the study medication;

  • Have a history of allergy, hypersensitivity or intolerance to study relief medication;

  • Have already undergone hyposensitisation therapy with comparable allergen extracts; An exception will be allowed if prior immunotherapy with comparable allergen was successful, symptoms reappeared some time after stopping the immunotherapy, and the immunotherapy was completed ≥ 3 years before Visit 1;

  • Have participated in a clinical research trial with a new chemical substance within 4 weeks of Visit 1;

  • Are unable or unwilling to cooperate with the Investigator and to comply with the protocol requirements, or not likely to complete the observation periods sufficiently (e.g., 2 weeks holiday abroad during the time of diary recording);

  • Have changed residence between geographical regions within the past 3 months

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
1Grass MATA MPLGrass MATA MPL
2Placebo-
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Efficacy of Grass MATA MPL versus placebo measured by combined allergy symptom + medication scores during 4 peak weeks of grass season9 Months
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Combined symptom + medication scores, Combined symptoms, Individual symptoms, Relief medication use, Specific immunological changes, quality of life, Health Assessments, Days absent from activities9 Months
Adverse events, adverse reactions, clinical labs, ECG, and vitals9 months

Trial Locations

Locations (92)

Manna Research

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Allergy and Asthma Research of NJ

🇺🇸

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Knight A.

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Brigham & Women's Hospital, Rheumatology & Immunology, Smith Building Rm 626

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Kansas City Allergy and Asthma Associates, PA

🇺🇸

Overland Park, Kansas, United States

Merit Care Health

🇺🇸

Fargo, North Dakota, United States

Allergy & Asthma Care Center

🇺🇸

Fargo, North Dakota, United States

New Horizons Clinical Research

🇺🇸

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Rush University Medical Center

🇺🇸

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Asthma & Allergy Associates, PC & Research Center

🇺🇸

Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

The Allergy and Asthma Center

🇺🇸

Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States

Sneeze, Wheeze & Itch Associates

🇺🇸

Normal, Illinois, United States

Dr. Dreyfus

🇺🇸

Waterbury, Connecticut, United States

Ninewells Hospital and Medical School

🇬🇧

Dundee, United Kingdom

Mayo Clinic

🇺🇸

Rochester, Minnesota, United States

Colorado Allergy & Asthma Centers, PC

🇺🇸

Denver, Colorado, United States

Colorado Allergy and Asthma Clinic, PC

🇺🇸

Englewood, Colorado, United States

Iowa Clinical Research Corporation

🇺🇸

Iowa City, Iowa, United States

McGovern Allergy Associates, PC

🇺🇸

Springfield, Massachusetts, United States

Medical Associates Clinic

🇺🇸

Dubuque, Iowa, United States

"The Allergy & Arthritis Family Treatment Centers

🇺🇸

Gardner, Massachusetts, United States

Respiratory Medicine Researdh Institute of Michigan, PLC

🇺🇸

Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States

Clinical Research Institute

🇺🇸

Plymouth, Minnesota, United States

Saint Louis University

🇺🇸

St Louis, Missouri, United States

Nebraska Medical Research Institute

🇺🇸

Papillion, Nebraska, United States

Midwest Allegy and Asthma Clinic

🇺🇸

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

Creighton University - Allergy & Immunology

🇺🇸

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

Allergy Consultants, PA

🇺🇸

Verona, New Jersey, United States

Princeton Center for Clinical Research Montgomery Professional Center

🇺🇸

Skillman, New Jersey, United States

Allergy & Asthma Center

🇺🇸

Marlboro, New Jersey, United States

The Medical Center at Teaneck

🇺🇸

Teaneck, New Jersey, United States

Asthma and Allergy Associates, PC

🇺🇸

Elmira, New York, United States

Aair Research Center

🇺🇸

Rochester, New York, United States

Island Medical Research, PC

🇺🇸

Rockville Center, New York, United States

Allergy and Respiratory Center

🇺🇸

Canton, Ohio, United States

Cleveland Clinic Foundation

🇺🇸

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Clinical Research Source, Inc.

🇺🇸

Perrysburg, Ohio, United States

Toledo Center for Clinical Research

🇺🇸

Sylvania, Ohio, United States

Allergy & Asthma Research Group

🇺🇸

Eugene, Oregon, United States

Clinical Research Institute of Southern

🇺🇸

Medford, Oregon, United States

Allergy, Asthma and Dermatology Research Center, L.L.C.

🇺🇸

Lake Oswego, Oregon, United States

Allergy Associates Research Center, LLC

🇺🇸

Portland, Oregon, United States

Asthma & Allergy Research Assoc Presidents House

🇺🇸

Chester, Pennsylvania, United States

Penn State University Hershey Medical Center, Dept of Medicine

🇺🇸

Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States

Allergy & Clinical Immunology Associates

🇺🇸

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

MD Office and Research

🇺🇸

Altoona, Pennsylvania, United States

Clinical Partners, LLC

🇺🇸

Johnston, Rhode Island, United States

The Allergy, Asthma, and Sinus Center 801 Weisgarber Road

🇺🇸

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Allergy Asthma Immunology Clin RI,Ltd

🇺🇸

Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Asthma Immunology & Allergy

🇺🇸

Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States

Clinical Research Specialists of Utah

🇺🇸

Spanish Fork, Utah, United States

Intermountain Clinical Research

🇺🇸

Draper, Utah, United States

Allergy Associates of Utah

🇺🇸

Murray, Utah, United States

Timber Lane Allergy & Asthma Research, LLC

🇺🇸

S Burlington, Vermont, United States

Marycliff Allergy Specialists

🇺🇸

Spokane, Washington, United States

Bellingham Asthma And Allergy Associates

🇺🇸

Bellingham, Washington, United States

Physicians Pharmaceutical Study Services

🇺🇸

Everett, Washington, United States

Spokane Allergy & Asthma Clinical Research

🇺🇸

Spokane, Washington, United States

Medical College of Wisconsin

🇺🇸

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

Pulmonary Consultants, P.L.L.C.

🇺🇸

Tacoma, Washington, United States

Allergy Asthma and Sinus Center

🇺🇸

Greenfield, Wisconsin, United States

Universitätsklinik für Umweltdermatologie

🇦🇹

Graz, Austria

Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie und Venerologie

🇦🇹

Innsbruck, Austria

Allergic Diseases, SC

🇺🇸

West Allis, Wisconsin, United States

Allgemeines Krankenhaus der Stadt Wien - Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie

🇦🇹

Vienna, Austria

Hamilton Medical Research Group

🇨🇦

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

McMaster University

🇨🇦

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Kanata Allergy Services Ltd.

🇨🇦

Kanata, Ontario, Canada

Allergie-Zentrum Wien West

🇦🇹

Vienna, Austria

Kelowna Allergy and Respiratory Health Clinic

🇨🇦

Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Alpha Medical Research Inc.

🇨🇦

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Niagara Clinical Research

🇨🇦

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Allergy and Asthma Research Centre

🇨🇦

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Allied Research International

🇨🇦

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Northgate Medical Clinic

🇨🇦

North Bay, Ontario, Canada

Filderman R.

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Sussman G.

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Centre De Recherche Appliquée en Allergie De Québec

🇨🇦

Quebec, Canada

Birmingham Heartlands Hospital

🇬🇧

Birmingham, United Kingdom

The McGill University Health Centre

🇨🇦

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Omnispec Clinical Research

🇨🇦

Mirabel, Quebec, Canada

Q&T Research

🇨🇦

Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

Guys Hospital

🇬🇧

London, United Kingdom

Brighton General Hospital Dept. Respiratory Medicine

🇬🇧

Brighton, United Kingdom

Addenbrookes Hospital

🇬🇧

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Lung Function - Northwest Lung Center

🇬🇧

Manchester, United Kingdom

Glenfield Hospital

🇬🇧

Leicester, United Kingdom

Southampton General Hospital

🇬🇧

Southampton, United Kingdom

Montana Medical Research

🇺🇸

Missoula, Montana, United States

Montana Allergy and Asthma 2900 12th Avenue North Suite 302E

🇺🇸

Billings, Montana, United States

Dean Foundation for Health Research & Education, Inc.Med Reseach Dept.

🇺🇸

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Advanced Healthcare Clinical Research Center

🇺🇸

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

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