This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/6169011.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Vaccine for hayfever in pill form | Vaccine for hayfever in pill form |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| A vaccine in pill form to reduce the symptoms of hayfever will be launched in the UK early next year. | A vaccine in pill form to reduce the symptoms of hayfever will be launched in the UK early next year. |
| Grazax has out-performed traditional anti-histamine tablets and nasal sprays in trials, cutting symptoms by 30%. | Grazax has out-performed traditional anti-histamine tablets and nasal sprays in trials, cutting symptoms by 30%. |
| Initially, the once-a-day pill will only be available on prescription, and is recommended for patients who have not responded to current treatments. | Initially, the once-a-day pill will only be available on prescription, and is recommended for patients who have not responded to current treatments. |
| Developed by ALK-Abello, is it taken for at least eight weeks before and during the summer pollen season. | Developed by ALK-Abello, is it taken for at least eight weeks before and during the summer pollen season. |
| Patients in general prefer to take a pill rather than have an injection Professor Stephen DurhamImperial College London | Patients in general prefer to take a pill rather than have an injection Professor Stephen DurhamImperial College London |
| It is a form of immunotherapy (desensitisation treatment) containing an extract of timothy grass, and is known to be effective against all forms of grass pollen that cause hayfever in Europe. | It is a form of immunotherapy (desensitisation treatment) containing an extract of timothy grass, and is known to be effective against all forms of grass pollen that cause hayfever in Europe. |
| Effectively, the body is given the chance to build up a tolerance to the protein which triggers hayfever symptoms by being exposed to tiny amounts of it in the pill. | |
| In tests, it not only cut hayfever symptoms but also reduced the need for remedial "rescue" treatment, given when symptoms re-emerge, by 40%. | In tests, it not only cut hayfever symptoms but also reduced the need for remedial "rescue" treatment, given when symptoms re-emerge, by 40%. |
| Anti-histamine tablets have been shown to cut hayfever symptoms by up to 20%, and nasal sprays by up to 30%. | |
| International clinical trials of Grazax showed 83% of patients who took the pill said that their hayfever was better compared with previous years. | |
| Its effect is also much longer-lasting. The effects of a steroidal nasal spray wear off in about a week. In contrast, an eight-week course of Grazax can keep hayfever at bay for a whole season. | |
| Long-term monitoring | Long-term monitoring |
| Researchers at the Medical Research Council and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, in collaboration with colleagues in UK and abroad, now plan to assess the long-term impact of the pill over the next five years. | Researchers at the Medical Research Council and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, in collaboration with colleagues in UK and abroad, now plan to assess the long-term impact of the pill over the next five years. |
| Grass pollen immunotherapy by injection has been shown to have a long-term impact, reducing symptoms in patients for at least three years after they stop taking them. | Grass pollen immunotherapy by injection has been shown to have a long-term impact, reducing symptoms in patients for at least three years after they stop taking them. |
| Immunotherapy in the form of something so simple as a pill is quite a major step forward Lindsay McManusAllergy UK | Immunotherapy in the form of something so simple as a pill is quite a major step forward Lindsay McManusAllergy UK |
| It is hoped that Grazax could achieve something similar. | It is hoped that Grazax could achieve something similar. |
| Researcher Professor Stephen Durham, from the Asthma Centre, said: "We know this pill is effective, that it improves quality of life, and reduces the need for treatment. | Researcher Professor Stephen Durham, from the Asthma Centre, said: "We know this pill is effective, that it improves quality of life, and reduces the need for treatment. |
| "What we must address now are the long-term benefits of the treatment." | "What we must address now are the long-term benefits of the treatment." |
| Professor Durham said the pill could prove popular with patients. | Professor Durham said the pill could prove popular with patients. |
| He predicted it could potentially help around one million people in the UK alone. | He predicted it could potentially help around one million people in the UK alone. |
| He said: "Patients in general prefer to take a pill rather than have an injection. | He said: "Patients in general prefer to take a pill rather than have an injection. |
| "Popping a pill under the tongue for a few months prior to the grass pollen season would be a much more acceptable form of therapy for them." | "Popping a pill under the tongue for a few months prior to the grass pollen season would be a much more acceptable form of therapy for them." |
| Greater accessibility | Greater accessibility |
| At present, grass pollen immunotherapy has to be administered by injection in specialist NHS allergy clinics, as there is a small risk of a general allergic reaction. | At present, grass pollen immunotherapy has to be administered by injection in specialist NHS allergy clinics, as there is a small risk of a general allergic reaction. |
| The grass tablet will increase the availability of this form of therapy to severe hayfever sufferers. | The grass tablet will increase the availability of this form of therapy to severe hayfever sufferers. |
| Professor Durham, from Imperial College and Royal Brompton Hospital said, Grazax had been proven safe in trials of around 2,000 patients. | Professor Durham, from Imperial College and Royal Brompton Hospital said, Grazax had been proven safe in trials of around 2,000 patients. |
| The only side effects had been local itching and swelling under the tongue. | The only side effects had been local itching and swelling under the tongue. |
| Hayfever, which affects one in four people, is an allergy to pollens - the male reproductive parts of plants - from grasses and trees. | Hayfever, which affects one in four people, is an allergy to pollens - the male reproductive parts of plants - from grasses and trees. |
| When they come into contact with the tissue inside the nose, they trigger an immune reaction that can cause congestion, sneezing, itching, and a runny nose. | When they come into contact with the tissue inside the nose, they trigger an immune reaction that can cause congestion, sneezing, itching, and a runny nose. |
| It is more common during the summer and particularly during 'Wimbledon fortnight' when the levels of pollen are highest. | It is more common during the summer and particularly during 'Wimbledon fortnight' when the levels of pollen are highest. |
| Lindsay McManus, of Allergy UK, said: "Anything that can help hayfever sufferers has got to be a good thing. | Lindsay McManus, of Allergy UK, said: "Anything that can help hayfever sufferers has got to be a good thing. |
| "I don't think people realise quite how much of an impact hayfever can have on people's lives. | "I don't think people realise quite how much of an impact hayfever can have on people's lives. |
| "Immunotherapy in the form of something so simple as a pill is quite a major step forward." | "Immunotherapy in the form of something so simple as a pill is quite a major step forward." |
| Professor Durham's team would welcome volunteers with hayfever who are interested in taking part in further research in new treatments for hayfever. | Professor Durham's team would welcome volunteers with hayfever who are interested in taking part in further research in new treatments for hayfever. |
| Telephone 0207 351 8992/4 or email m.calderon@imperial.ac.uk | Telephone 0207 351 8992/4 or email m.calderon@imperial.ac.uk |