Effectiveness and safety of a microcrystalline tyrosine‐adjuvanted Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergoid immunotherapy in adult patients with allergic asthma and rhinitis: A real‐life prospective observational study

Abstract

Introduction

Although clinical trials have shown the efficacy and safety of allergen‐specific immunotherapy (AIT) in the treatment of allergic asthma, there is a need for real‐life studies. We aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of a microcrystalline tyrosine‐adjuvanted Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergoid (Acarovac Plus®) in patients with house dust mite (HDM)‐induced allergic asthma in a real‐life study.

Methods

A subanalysis of a multicenter, prospective, observational, real‐life study. Patients with rhinitis and allergic asthma caused by HDMs were assessed before AIT with Acarovac Plus® and at 6 and 12 months after this treatment. Assessment parameters were percentage of days with asthma symptoms, percentage of days on asthma medication, classification of asthma according to Spanish guidelines for the management of asthma, asthma‐related quality of life (quality of life in adults with asthma questionnaire [QLAAQ]), perception of symptoms (visual analog scale [VAS]), and treatment satisfaction (treatment satisfaction questionnaire for medication [TSQM]). Safety was assessed by the number and severity of adverse reactions.

Results

This subanalysis included 55 patients. Treatment with Acarovac Plus® showed significant differences in the analyzed variables when the baseline visit was compared with the 12‐month visit: reduction of the mean (SD) percentage of days with asthma symptoms (23.9 [9.2] vs. 5.1 [12.8]; p = .002), of the mean [SD] percentage of days on asthma medication (67.6 [42.9] vs. 45.1 [46.8]; p = .002), and of the percentage of patients with persistent asthma (78.2% vs. 38.9%; p = .009). Acarovac Plus® significantly improved asthma‐related quality of life, as shown by a decrease of 1.39 points in QLAAQ score at 12 months ( p < .001), and in the subjective perception of symptoms on the VAS (−3.50, p < .0001). Patients showed high treatment satisfaction according to the TSQM, and it was well tolerated. No serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusions

Acarovac Plus® was effective and safe for the treatment of patients with HDM‐induced allergic asthma in a real‐life study.

Abstract

In this multicenter, prospective, observational, real‐life study, we assessed the effectiveness and safety of allergen‐specific immunotherapy with a microcrystalline tyrosine‐adjuvanted Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergoid (Acarovac Plus®) in patients with house dust mite‐induced allergic asthma. At 6 and 12 months of treatment, Acarovac Plus® showed a significant clinical improvement assessed by reduction of days with symptoms and need for medication and by improvement in disease severity according to Spanish guidelines for the management of asthma classification and asthma‐related quality of life. All of the above was associated with a good safety profile and a high level of patient satisfaction.