This project could improve the daily lives of two million people. On Tuesday March 7, Inserm announced, in a communicated, that clinical trials on humans were under discussion with the partners involved. Because of the number of people affected, the news is important: “Asthma is a chronic disease that affects 340 million worldwide. It represents approximately 50% of asthma cases, is characterized by inflammation of the bronchi and discomfort respiratory tract caused by the inhalation of allergens, most often dust mites”, detail the Inserm researchers. In other words, it is a type of asthma that is triggered or worsened by exposure to allergens (pollen, animal dander, mold, etc.). This disease can develop from a young age or older. late in life.
Neutralize key immune proteins
Researchers from Inserm, the Institut Pasteur in collaboration with the French company NEOVACS, are working on the development of a very promising vaccine. And they unveiled the latest breakthrough in February, with a study published in the scientific journal allergy. The aim was to produce antibodies capable of neutralizing key human immune proteins in triggering asthma. The proteins involved are called cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13). The latter are at the center of the pathology, because they trigger the entire cascade of inflammatory reactions in the patient. In particular, they lead to hyperreactivity of the respiratory tract as well as an overproduction of mucus. By blocking them, the inflammation is stopped.
In a previous study, the specialists had shown the effectiveness in mice of a conjugate vaccine, called Kinoid®. “Results suggested that this vaccine induced long-lasting production of antibodies directed specifically against murine IL-4 and IL-13, as well as a reduction in symptoms of allergic asthma in animals,” the statement said. . These results encouraged the researchers to inject their vaccine into mice with allergic asthma to house dust mites, a necessary step before considering setting up clinical trials on humans.
Effectiveness that would last for several months
The goal was to create a vaccine capable of neutralizing the human IL-4 and IL-13 cytokines as well. Again, the results are encouraging and the antibody response has been significant. This notably takes the form of “much less inflamed bronchi” in vaccinated mice, described by BFM TV Laurent Reber. In 100% of the asthmatic mice tested, the allergic reaction was avoided. Moreover, the efficacy of the vaccine did not decrease over the three months after the injection (time corresponding to the total duration of the study). “Even a year after vaccination, we still had neutralizing antibodies. So, there would be an effectiveness that would last at least a year, in any case, in mice”, assured on European 1Laurent Reber.
If this vaccine is also expected, it is because the means available to fight against asthma are still insufficient. There are inhaled corticosteroids, that is to say anti-inflammatories. But if the allergic asthma turns out to be too severe, the treatment may not be enough. “It is then necessary to resort to treatments with therapeutic monoclonal antibodies precisely targeting IgE or the IL-4 and IL-13 pathways. However, these drugs are very expensive and force patients to perform injections for years, even throughout of their lives,” the statement continued. In addition to being expensive, they can only be administered in injectable form, which is painful for the patient being treated.
Another reason to have hope: the cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 are involved in several pathologies including atopic dermatitis and food allergy. Thus, the possible effects of the candidate vaccine are multiple, even if many steps remain before potential marketing. Including the realization of clinical trials in humans.