Clinical Trial Finder

Inclusion Criteria:

•Inclusion in original study cohorts at birth. •≥2 first-degree relatives with allergic disease (food allergy, asthma, eczema, rhinoconjunctivitis)

Exclusion Criteria:

• - Not included in the original study cohorts.

- Skin-prick test positive to any allergen (HDM, cat, grass pollen, peanut, egg and milk) age 5 months

There is an epidemic of allergic disease in childhood and current preventative strategies have failed to demonstrate effectiveness outside of isolated trials. In a previous study, the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with house dust mite in preventing the development of allergic sensitisation in infants was assessed. The long term objective was to assess the effect of the intervention on the subsequent development of asthma. The hypothesis is that high dose oral immunotherapy will induce immune tolerance and reduce development of allergic sensitisation and later clinical asthma and allergy. A total of 111 infants at high risk of allergy (with ≥2 first degree relatives affected by asthma or allergy) but with no evidence of allergic sensitisation at recruitment were recruited. These infants were randomised at 6 months of age to receive a year of active HDM (House dust-mite) allergen extract delivered as SLIT or placebo intervention. At 18 months of age, there was a significant reduction in cumulative allergic sensitisation in the SLIT intervention group and a trend for reduction in allergic symptoms. They have also been followed up at 3 years of age. The data currently being analysed. Additionally, an observational cohort (Immune Tolerance in Early Childhood, ITEC) was recruited at birth with the same inclusion criteria as the interventional one and assessed in the same way up to 3 years. This cohort has provided additional control data and samples to utilise in the analyses. This proposed study is the 6-8 year follow up of these interventional and observational cohorts. The aim of the 6-8 year assessment is to assess the efficacy of prophylactic oral immunotherapy with HDM allergen in preventing the later development of asthma. The hypothesis is that high dose oral immunotherapy will induce immune tolerance and reduce development of allergic sensitisation and later clinical asthma and allergy. Participants will be assessed 6-8 years after finishing the intervention. The assessment will include a questionnaire, skin prick testing to the common aeroallergens and food allergens and lung function. Families and study investigators will both be blinded to participants' original treatment allocations. An additional aim is to investigate the epigenetic and immune mechanisms involved in the development of asthma and allergy and how allergen immunotherapy influence this process.

Arms

Active Comparator: Intervention arm

House dust-mite SLIT

Placebo Comparator: Control arm

Normal saline

No Intervention: Observation cohort

ITEC observational cohort, no intervention administered

Interventions

Drug: - House dust-mite SLIT

received 2000 standard treatment units of glycerinated HDM allergen extract (ALK-AbellÓ) per day. Normal saline was administered to the placebo group. 11 µg of HDM allergen (equal parts of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae) administered twice daily as oral drops.

Drug: - Normal saline

Normal saline administered in same frequency and manner as intervention