Identified two proteins as probable biomarkers of the clinical efficacy of immunotherapy with allergens.

-the molecular changes in the field of dendritic cells may indicate early how responds to allergen immunotherapy Agency

-the study, carried out by Stallergenes, has been published by the Journal of Allergy and Clinic Immunology last month

Antony (France), may 2012.- two proteinsC1Q and STAB1, expressed by various types of regulatory dendritic cells (DCs), can be employed to measure how responds to the Agency in the early stages of allergen immunotherapy. This is the main conclusion of a study conducted by researchers from Stallergenes, published last month Journal of Allergy and Clinic Immunology (JACI).

To obtain the expression of markers researchers used methodology as quantitative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) in mononuclear cells of peripheral blood (PBMCs) of 79 patients with allergy to pollen of grasses. These patients participated in a clinical study, controlled double-blind, placebo, to assess the efficacy of sublingual tablets in a camera’s exposure to allergens for a period exceeding four months.

In the article published by JACI authors explain how discovered that the expression of CQ1 and STAB1 increased significantly in the PBMCs of subjects responded positively to the treatment of allergen immunotherapy, versus those who did not or were treated with placebo. Thus, the researchers conclude that these two proteins may be biomarkers for the early efficacy of allergen immunotherapy.

Once it confirmed the validity of these biomarkers through further studies and on a larger scale it will be possible to develop new diagnostic tests for a better follow-up of the patient in daily medical practice, and even new treatments for allergies ”, said Philippe Moingeon, Director of research and development pharmaceutical of Stallergenes.

The strong investment made in recent years by Stallergenes aiming to identify biomarkers that might utlilizados to evaluate the response to allergen immunotherapy has allowed to obtain data which represent a major scientific breakthrough and encourage us to continue investigating ”, said Roberto GradnikExecutive director of Stallergenes.

Allergen immunotherapy is considered the only etiological treatment for respiratory diseases of allergic origin, as allergic rhinitis. The sublingual has become in the last two decades in the most widespread form of administration, replacing subcutaneous injections. However, despite important advances in recent years, the precise immunological mechanisms through which the sublingual immunotherapy induces tolerance against allergens in humans are not clear and there is, therefore, keen to identify relevant biomarkers to measure objectively the response to immunotherapy in clinical trials and in daily medical practice.

About Stallergenes

Stallergenes s.a.. is a biopharmaceutical company international, a leader in the manufacture and innovation of allergen immunotherapy treatments. Stallergenes sells its products to prevent and control the allergic disease in 50 countries through more than 10 subsidiaries in Europe and 40 agreements of distribution and collaboration throughout the world.

The factory of Stallergenes in Antony (ÃŽle-de-France) is the largest center of production of allergen preparations specially for a patient (APEP) in the world, making it more than 150 different allergens to treat more than 500,000 patients annually.

About 20% of the annual turnover of the pharmaceutical company it is intended for research and development. Stallergenes invoiced a volume of EUR 235 million in 2011.

Stallergenes Ibérica S.A. is the subsidiary of Stallergenes S.A. Spain Stallergenes Ibérica s.a. has one portfolio of products sufficient to treat 95% of patients affected by respiratory allergic diseases and it has been, since its implementation in Spanish territory 13 years ago, for a strong work of research into new products.