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Ultra-Short-Course Seasonal Allergy Vaccine (Pollinex® Quattro)

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Abstract

▴ This novel ultra-short-course seasonal allergy vaccine, containing glutaraldehyde-modified allergens and the adjuvants 3-deacylated monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL®) and L-tyrosine, requires a preseasonal course of only four injections to be effective in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

▴ In patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and/or allergic asthma, a four-injection vaccination course with either the grass pollen or tree pollen allergy vaccine significantly reduced skin prick sensitivity reactions, significantly elevated allergen-specific IgG levels and significantly reduced the seasonally induced boost of IgE.

▴ Preseasonal vaccination of adult patients with either grass pollen or tree pollen allergy vaccine significantly reduced the median combined symptom/ medication score compared with placebo.

▴ Similarly, preseasonal vaccination of children and adolescents with allergies to grass pollen or tree pollen significantly reduced the global symptom and medication use scores compared with the previous pollen season.

▴ Postmarketing surveillance indicated that after a course of vaccination, 82% of patients experienced reduced symptoms and 62% reduced their rescue medication use compared with the previous season.

▴ The allergy vaccine was generally well tolerated. Local reactions, mainly injection-site redness and swelling, were more common than systemic reactions. There were no serious adverse events.

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  1. The use of trade names is for product identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

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Correspondence to Paul L. McCormack.

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McCormack, P.L., Wagstaff, A.J. Ultra-Short-Course Seasonal Allergy Vaccine (Pollinex® Quattro). Drugs 66, 931–938 (2006). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-200666070-00004

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-200666070-00004

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