Background: This initiative aimed to elucidate the clinical relevance of type 2 (T2) inflammation as a driver of asthma, atopic dermatitis, chronic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and eosinophilic esophagitis. Methods: A steering committee (SC) conducted a non-systematic literature search to inform the design of a Delphi questionnaire including 23 consensus statements, which was circulated to 30 experts including the SC. Experts rated their agreement with each statement on a 9-point Likert scale and provided optional feedback that was used to develop a second Delphi questionnaire. On 22 October 2020, a meeting was held to discuss the conclusions from the questionnaires and explore how this initiative may impact the management of patients with T2 inflammation-driven disease. Post meeting, a consensus statement on the role of T2 inflammation in eosinophilic esophagitis was circulated to the experts. Results: It was agreed that T2 inflammation may be an underlying driver of asthma, atopic dermatitis, chronic rhinitis, CRSwNP and eosinophilic esophagitis, and that the published evidence suggests that these diseases overlap. Some of this overlap may include related multimorbid conditions driven by T2 inflammation. Thus, in patients with multiple T2 inflammation-driven diseases, a cross-speciality approach is warranted to provide effective care. A question guide with input from relevant experts was proposed, to identify comorbidities and facilitate appropriate holistic patient management. Conclusions: These consensus recommendations should be used as a framework to further understand the extent of T2 inflammation-driven multi-organ disease and to improve the holistic management and care of these patients.

Tari Haahtela

and 7 more

Increase of allergic conditions has occurred at the same pace with the Great Accleration, which stands for the rapid growth rate of human activities upon Earth from 1950s. Changes of environment and lifestyle along with escalating urbanization, are acknowledged as the main underlying causes. Secondary (tertiary) prevention for better disease control has advanced considerably with innovations for oral immunotherapy and effective treatment of inflammation with corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors and biologic medications. Patients are less disabled than before. However, primary prevention has remained a dilemma. Factors predicting allergy and asthma risk have proven complex: risk factors increase the risk while protective factors counteract them. Interaction of human body with environmental biodiversity with micro-organisms and biogenic compounds as well as the central role of epigenetic adaptation in immune homeostasis have given new insight. Allergic diseases are good indicators of the twisted relation to environment. In various non-communicable diseases, the protective mode of the immune system indicates low-grade inflammation without apparent cause. Giving microbes, pro- and prebiotics, has shown some promise in prevention and treatment. The real-world public health programme in Finland (2008-2018) emphasized nature relatedness and protective factors for immunological resilience, instead of avoidance. The nationwide action mitigated the allergy burden, but in the lack of controls, primary preventive effect remains to be proven. The first results of controlled biodiversity interventions are promising. In the fastly urbanizing world, new approaches are called for allergy prevention, which also has a major cost saving potential.

Tilo Biedermann

and 3 more

Background: The SQ tree SLIT-tablet has recently been approved for treatment of tree pollen allergy. Health care workers should be provided with detailed safety data for clinical use. Objective: To assess the tolerability and safety of the SQ tree SLIT-tablet in adults and adolescents. Methods: Safety data were pooled from two phase-II and one phase-III double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trials including adults and adolescents with allergic rhinitis and/or conjunctivitis treated before and during one pollen season once-daily with the SQ tree SLIT-tablet (12 SQ-Bet) or placebo. Results: The most frequently reported IMP-related AEs with 12 SQ-Bet were oral pruritis (39% of subjects) and throat irritation (29%). IMP-related AEs were mainly mild or moderate in severity, and the majority resolved without treatment and did not lead to treatment interruption/discontinuation. With 12 SQ-Bet, oral pruritus was more frequent among PFS subjects (45%) than in subjects without PFS (29%). A greater proportion of PFS subjects interrupted treatment (19%) than subjects without PFS (7%). The 12 SQ-Bet did not seem to induce an increased risk of asthma: 7 events were reported in 7 subjects with 12 SQ-Bet and 11 in 10 subjects with placebo. No differences were seen in the risk of moderate to severe IMP-related AEs regardless of age, PFS status and asthma medical history. Conclusions: The 12 SQ tree SLIT-tablet was well tolerated in tree pollen allergic subjects with no major safety concerns detected. This safety profile supports daily at-home sublingual administration once the first dose is tolerated when administered under medical supervision.