Single vaccine to eliminate all allergic reactions

Allergic reactions are on the rise

A "one size fits all" injection that could eliminate all types of allergic reactions - including hay fever, eczema and asthma - could be available in just four years, according to researchers in Switzerland.

The researchers, speaking at an allergy conference in London, claimed that a single dose of the vaccine, known only as CYT003-Qbg10, can even eradicate peanut and shellfish allergies. They said that, when properly developed, it will be the "holy grail" of allergy treatments.

Scientists at Cytos Biotechnology in Zurich gave 63 asthmatics a course of the vaccine or a series of injections of a placebo drug over two or three months and discovered that CYT003-Qbg10 cut asthma attacks and/or symptoms by a third.

The trial revealed that a course of the vaccine was at least as effective as steroids in terms of controlling asthma.

During a further trial, participants were injected with the vaccine once a week for six consecutive weeks and their allergic reactions - runny noses and weeping eyes - were lowered by almost 39 percent. The allergy conference was also told that these courses of injections enhanced participants' quality of life by 42 percent.   

Dr. Wolfgang Renner, the Chief Executive of Cytos Biotechnology, said: "We think it is a one-size-fits-all mechanism. We are very excited about it."

How does the vaccine work?

Rather than giving patients a tiny dose of the specific substance they are allergic to, like most allergy treatments, Cytos Biotechnology's vaccine works by distracting the overactive immune system, which is thought to be the cause of most allergic reactions.  

Contained within the injection are synthetic pieces of DNA which are similar to those found in the bug that causes tuberculosis or TB.

The DNA dupes the body into thinking that it is being attacked by the bug and, instinctively, the body begins a multi-pronged immune response, and, in a sense, reprogrammes itself.

It is unclear how exactly the vaccine would be administered, but the Swiss scientists foresee an initial short course of injections, followed by a booster session two or three years later.

CYT003-Qbg10's potential

This is a totally new and different approach to combating allergic reactions and there is currently nothing of this sort on the market. The fact that it would protect against multiple allergies also means that it would be easier to manufacture and administer.

Dr. Renner said that the first large-scale human trials could start next year and, although he could not confirm how much the company envisage the drug costing, he did say that he believes the vaccine will be cost-effective.

The news arrives at a rather apt time as today is Hay Day - the peak of the grass pollen season, according to researchers, with levels reaching eight or nine out of 10 in some areas. 

A quarter of all children in Europe under the age of 10 suffers from at least one allergy and there are approximately 15 million hay fever sufferers in the UK alone.  

Earlier this year, experts warned that this figure could double within the next two decades as pollution, city living and climate change all aggravate symptoms. This trend will occur across all of Europe, and the entire world, researchers believe and therefore any vaccines that can effectively wipe out allergic reactions have the potential to be hugely profitable. 

Related links:

GSK prepares for hayfever season | Drug info pledge from EU health chief | P&G recalls 120,000 nasal sprays

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