Ragweed SLIT Tablets Effective in Pediatric Allergic Rhinitis With Conjunctivitis

After careful consideration, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology canceled its annual meeting that was to take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from March 13 to 16, because of concerns regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Although the live events will not proceed as planned, our readers can still find coverage of research that was scheduled to be presented at the meeting.

Ragweed sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablets may be an effective treatment option in children with allergic rhinitis with or without conjunctivitis (AR/C), according to study results intended to be presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

When used in adults with AR/C, ragweed SLIT tablets can improve symptoms and reduce medication use during peak season when symptoms are at their worst. Researchers sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ragweed SLIT tablets in children with AR/C.

In this international, double-blind study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02478398), children aged 5 to 17 years with AR/C with or without asthma were randomly assigned to daily ragweed SLIT tablets or placebo for up to 28 weeks. The primary end point was the average total combined score of rhinoconjunctivitis daily symptom score (DSS) and daily medication score (DMS), and the secondary end points were DSS and DMS during peak season.

The researchers revealed that during peak season, the relative total combined score improvement with ragweed SLIT tablets vs placebo was -38.3% (95% CI, -46.0% to -29.7%; least square [LS] mean difference, 2.73; P <.001), and during the entire season, was -32.4% (95% CI, -40.7% to -23.3%; LS mean difference, 1.86; P <.001). DSS and DMS were improved with ragweed SLIT tablets vs placebo during peak season by -35.4% (95% CI, -43.2% to -26.1%; LS mean difference, 1.40; P <.001) and -47.7% (95% CI, -59.8% to -32.5%; LS mean difference, 1.84; P <.001), respectively.

Treatment was well tolerated, and there were no reports of adverse events including anaphylaxis, airway compromise, or severe treatment-related systemic allergic reactions.

The researchers concluded that ragweed SLIT tablets are efficacious in children with AR/C during the entire season and during peak season when symptoms are most burdensome.

Disclosure: This clinical trial was supported by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors’ disclosures.

Reference

Ellis A, Bernstein D, Nelson H, Kleine-Tebbe J, Nolte H. Efficacy and safety of ragweed SLIT-tablets across peak and entire season in children with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020;145(Suppl 2):AB62.

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