Welcome to our July research update! Getting involved with research is an important way to impact asthma and allergy treatments, education, and awareness.

This month, we are highlighting clinical trials, surveys, and news on:

• Adults with severe asthma
• Asthma inhaler product development
• Preventing viral infections in people with uncontrolled asthma
• Atopic dermatitis/eczema treatments
• Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU)
  
  

Note: The links below will take you to external websites.

Surveys

Share Your Experiences Living with CSU

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is leading a study to learn more about the experiences of people living with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). If you have CSU, or are a caregiver to someone with CSU, we invite you to participate in this research survey.

Your insights will help us guide educational content and programmatic resources around CSU. The survey should take less than 15 minutes to complete.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Latest Asthma and Allergy News

Asthma

Early Data Show Ethris' New Drug Boosts Protein that Can Help Protect Against Viral Infections in People with Uncontrolled Asthma
Viral infections are one of the most common causes of asthma attacks. Ethris, a German biotech company, is developing a new treatment to help prevent viral infections in people with uncontrolled asthma.

The treatment, ETH47, uses mRNA technology to increase a protein called interferon lambda (IFNλ), which helps protect against viruses. Early data show that this treatment, with different test doses, appears to be safe and effective in increasing levels of this protein. In addition to helping prevent viral infections, it can also lead to more effective control of asthma symptoms during these common illnesses.

ETH47 is inhaled through the nose and uses a special delivery system called SNaP LNP to help the mRNA reach the lungs effectively. In turn, this can increase the production of IFNλ in the respiratory tract. This system is like the one used in COVID-19 vaccines.

People with uncontrolled asthma are more vulnerable to severe respiratory infections due to an imbalanced inflammatory response in their lungs. This makes ETH47 a potentially important new tool in managing their lung disease. Ethris expects to present more detailed data on the use of this new treatment by the third quarter of 2024.

Eczema

NIAID Discovery Leads to New Probiotic for Eczema
Eczema is a chronic condition causing dry, itchy skin and affects many people worldwide. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common type of eczema. People with eczema often have imbalances in their skin's natural bacteria and lack certain oils. Eczema can weaken and disrupt the skin's barrier, which helps keep moisture in and allergens and other irritants out. A weakened skin barrier also can make people with eczema more prone to infections.

Research from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has led to a new over-the-counter eczema treatment using a probiotic called Roseomonas mucosa, which is part of the normal skin environment. Scientists found that this healthy skin bacteria can safely reduce eczema symptoms in both adults and children. This probiotic can be used alongside other eczema treatments, with specific guidance from a health care provider.

The researchers found that specific strains of R. mucosa reduced inflammation and strengthened the skin’s barrier. Clinical studies showed that most people had more than a 75% improvement in their eczema after using the probiotic, with reduced itching, less need for corticosteroids, and better quality of life. Improvements were seen in typical skin areas with eczema including the inner parts of the elbows and knees, hands, trunk, and neck areas. These benefits lasted for up to eight months after treatment ended. NIAID plans to conduct more clinical studies to further prove this probiotic’s effectiveness, with results expected in 2024. Ultimately, the goal is to have the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review these studies and determine if this could be made available as an over-the-counter therapy for people with eczema.

Ruxolitinib Cream 1.5% Shows Long-Term Safety in Children with Atopic Dermatitis
For children with AD, it is important to find treatments that not only work well but are safe to use. A recent study looked at the safety of ruxolitinib cream 1.5% in children aged 2 to 11. The year-long study found the cream is safe for use in children with moderate to severe AD.

The study involved 29 children with more than 35% of their body affected by AD. They applied the cream twice daily for 4 weeks, then as needed for another 4 weeks and continued using it as needed to complete one full year of therapy. Results showed that 31% of patients had mild side effects, but none of these were serious. Also, none of the children in this research study had to stop the treatment because of any side effects.

The cream also proved to be effective. The average affected skin area of AD in these children was reduced from 58% at the start of the study to 11.4% at 1 month and then to just 2.2% after 1 year of therapy. Most of the children had clear or almost clear skin by the end of the study. Additionally, the amount of ruxolitinib in the blood was low, much less than the level that could cause serious side effects in adults.

The results show that ruxolitinib cream is safe for long-term use in children with AD, with minimal absorption and no need for regular lab tests. This study is crucial because it focused on the treatment's effects on children rather than relying on data from adults or teens. With guidance from a health care provider, this option can be considered in children with AD who are not responding to other approved therapies.

Medical Review: July 2024 by John James, MD

Long, hot days are great for outdoor activities, but pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds can threaten to keep you indoors if you have pollen allergies (also called “hay fever) and allergic asthma. They may leave you longing for a rain shower to wash the pollen away. But rain causes plant growth, which may result in more pollen, right? So is rain good for people with allergies or not?

The Good News About Rain and Pollen

Light, steady rain showers can wash the pollen away, keeping it from flying through the air. The humidity that follows helps keep pollen down too. Rain can have a welcome benefit for people with pollen allergies.

Did you know pollen counts may be higher when it’s dry and hot? You would expect rain to make plants grow, producing more pollen. Would a dry spell mean less pollen? Not really.

During dry, hot seasons, trees can actually release more pollen.¹ There is less moisture in the air to weigh down the pollen grains when the wind blows. This helps more pollen travel farther and more easily. Climate change can also lead to higher temperatures, changes in precipitation, increased carbon dioxide levels, and changes in plant growth patterns. These can all contribute to longer, more intense allergy seasons.

The Not-So-Good News About Rain, Pollen, and Other Environmental Allergens

While rain can be good if you have pollen allergies, it can cause issues for people with allergies to grass, weeds, dust mites, and mold.

When it rains when grass and weed pollen counts are high, raindrops can hit the ground and break clumps of pollen into smaller particles. They can then quickly scatter into the air, causing a sudden increase in allergy and allergic asthma symptoms during the rain shower. This tends to happen more often during sudden, heavy downpours and thunderstorms.

If you’re in a rainy and humid season, mold and dust mite counts can increase. Outdoor mold thrives in damp conditions. Remove leaves before they become moldy.

Also take steps to control your indoor allergens. Lower your indoor humidity (ideally between 30 to 50%) to manage mold and dust mites inside.

Watch the Weather and Seek Allergy Treatment

Rain can be a good thing for pollen allergies. But it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Next time the showers rain down, be grateful for the temporary relief. If the rain keeps pouring down, watch out for a spike in pollen counts, mold, and dust mites soon after.

You can manage your allergies and allergic asthma by visiting a board-certified allergist. Many treatments are available to help you manage your pollen allergies, no matter what the weather does. Tracking local weather reports and pollen counts can help you too. Talk with your doctor to come up with a treatment plan that works for you.

Medical Review: July 2024 by John James, MD

References
1. G. G. Franchi, B. Piotto, M. Nepi, C. C. Baskin, J. M. Baskin, E. Pacini; Pollen and seed desiccation tolerance in relation to degree of developmental arrest, dispersal, and survival. J Exp Bot 2011; 62 (15): 5267-5281. doi: 10.1093/jxb/err154

Heat can affect anyone. But if you have asthma, heat might affect you even more. You can manage the effects of heat on your asthma with a few steps.

How Can Heat Make Asthma Worse?

Asthma is a chronic disease that causes your airways to get inflamed (swollen), become obstructed or narrowed, and be overreactive to a variety of triggers. All these things can make it hard to breathe. Inflamed airways are more sensitive to irritants and harsh temperatures. These are called triggers. High heat can trigger asthma symptoms.

Here are some of the reasons why heat can trigger asthma symptoms:

• Breathing in hot air, whether dry or humid, can cause airways to narrow and tighten. Thick, humid air can also make it harder to breathe.
• Humidity helps common allergens like dust mites and mold thrive, aggravating allergic asthma.
• Dehydration and an electrolyte imbalance secondary to overheating can worsen asthma symptoms.
• Heat fuels asthma triggers such as air pollution, increased ozone levels, and pollen and mold spores. They get worse when the weather is hot and humid¹. Particles in the air irritate sensitive airways.
  
  

By managing your exposure to heat, humidity, and air pollution, you can reduce your chances of having asthma symptoms when the weather gets hot.

How Can I Protect Myself from Heat and Prevent Asthma Symptoms?

When you have asthma, you can reduce your risk of having asthma symptoms when it is hot outside by following these steps.

Medical review: July 2024 John James, MD

References
1. Clinical Guidance for Heat and Children with Asthma.” www.cdc.gov, 22 Apr. 2024, www.cdc.gov/heat-health/hcp/he...ren-with-asthma.html.

Summer camps can help your child make friends, practice social skills, and build self-esteem and self-confidence. When your child has asthma or allergies, working with the staff and preparing in advance is key to helping your child focus on these skills while staying safe.

Here are some ways you can partner with camp staff to be prepared to manage your child’s asthma or allergies.

1. Think about the camp’s challenges and your child’s triggers.

Consider what type of camp your child will attend. They can range from day camp (half to full day) to overnight camp. Some last all summer, while others offer week-long sessions. Some staff members are local, while others travel from different states or countries.

Every camp is different. Think about the type of camp you will send your child to and how their asthma or allergy may be handled. Some camps are spread out over acres of property which might make them far from area hospitals. Rural camps could have limited or no cell phone coverage. Staff may plan field trips to other locations for a day or a week.

Is your child’s asthma triggered by heat, humidity, pollen, or poor air quality? Or do they have an allergy to latex or a biting or stinging insect? Think about how much time your child will spend outside. Talk with your child’s doctor about whether or not they need a change to their treatment plan to manage their asthma and allergies while at camp.

Smoke from barbecues, grills, bonfires, or fire pits can also trigger asthma. If the camp has a lot of outdoor activity, your child may be exposed to smoke during the camp.

Think about all of these factors while you’re preparing and working with camp staff to put together a plan for managing your child’s asthma or allergy.

2. Talk with camp staff about how they manage asthma and allergies.

Talk with camp staff to find out how they handle asthma and allergies before your child leaves for camp. Proper planning and staff training are critical. If possible, meet with the camp director and camp nurse.

When you talk to the camp staff, ask the following questions:

• What are the camp’s asthma and allergy policies?
• Will all staff follow the policies at all times in all settings?
• Are health care staff at the camp at all times?
• Are all staff trained regularly on managing asthma and allergies, treating symptoms, and giving emergency medicines?
• Will they make every effort to include your child in all activities?
• Where will medicines be kept? How will daily management medicines – such as asthma controller medicines and allergy medicines – be given? Will emergency medicines be protected from the heat when outside?

3. Work with staff to create a plan to prevent and treat asthma symptoms and allergic reactions.

Your child should have an individual health care plan for camp. This will be similar to a school health care plan. It outlines what the camp will do to create and maintain a safe environment for your child.

This health care plan should also include an asthma or allergy action plan. This lists symptoms staff should look for and when and how they should treat asthma symptoms or an allergic reaction.

Work with your child’s allergist to fill out the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s (AAFA) School or Child Care Asthma/Allergy Action Plan. Or the camp may already have health care plan forms for you to fill out. Give copies to the camp and ask to review them with the camp nurse before camp starts.

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Talk with camp staff about where your child’s medicine will be kept during the camp. If your child has asthma, make sure your child’s quick-relief medicine (such as albuterol) will go with them wherever they go at all times.

If your child is going to an overnight camp, talk with staff about how asthma controller medicines will be given and monitored.

If your child is allergic to latex or biting or stinging insects, ask the staff how they deal with severe allergic reactions known as anaphylaxis. Let them know epinephrine should go with your child everywhere. Talk with the camp about ways to reduce your child’s exposure to insects or latex.

With a good partnership with the camp staff and some planning, your child can make great summer memories while managing their asthma or allergies.