Dust mite allergies, affecting nearly 10% of the global population, may soon meet their match. Swiss biotech company Anokion SA has announced successful Phase 3 trial results for a novel nasal spray vaccine that reprograms the immune system’s response to dust mite allergens. Published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the study involved 1,500 participants across 12 countries, making it the largest clinical trial for dust mite immunotherapy to date.
The vaccine contains modified dust mite proteins combined with a mucosal adjuvant that promotes immune tolerance. Unlike allergy shots, which require months of injections, this nasal spray achieved significant desensitization after just 12 weekly doses. After one year, 80% of participants experienced at least a 60% reduction in symptoms like nasal congestion and itchy eyes, with effects lasting through the two-year follow-up. Notably, 45% became completely asymptomatic.
The mechanism targets dendritic cells in the nasal mucosa, teaching them to recognize dust mite particles as harmless rather than triggering an IgE-mediated reaction. This approach mirrors recent advances in oral immunotherapy for food allergies but with far fewer side effects—only 5% of participants reported mild nasal irritation.
Regulatory approval is anticipated by late 2025, with plans to expand the technology to other airborne allergens like pollen and mold. Dr. Sophie Renault, Anokion’s chief scientific officer, envisions a future where allergy vaccines are as routine as flu shots, potentially preventing the development of asthma in sensitized children.
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