Welcome to our September 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, interviews, focus groups, and news on:

• Asthma
• Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES)
• Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU)
• Universal flu vaccine clinical trial
• EGPA clinical trial results
  
  
  

Latest Asthma and Allergy Research News

Asthma

AAFA’s 2023 Asthma Capitals™ Report Lists Most Challenging Cities to Live in the U.S. with Asthma
Asthma is greatly influenced by where someone lives. People who have affordable and accessible health care, clean air, and economic stability have a greater chance of managing and controlling their asthma. AAFA’s Asthma Capitals™ report ranks the largest 100 cities in the continental U.S. by how challenging they are to live in when you have asthma. AAFA publishes this report to show the nationwide burden of asthma. It is a call to action to help the more than 27 million people in the U.S. with asthma.

Asthma-Associated Emergency Department Visits During the Canadian Wildfire Smoke Episodes — United States, April–August 2023
From April 30 to Aug. 4, 2023, smoke from wildfires in Canada affected most of the contiguous United States. A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that asthma-associated emergency department visits were 17% higher than expected during the 19 days with wildfire smoke that occurred during the study period. Larger increases were seen in regions that had higher numbers of continuous wildfire smoke days and among children aged 5 to 17 and adults 18 to 64 years. These results can help guide emergency response planning and public health communication strategies, especially in U.S. areas where wildfire smoke exposure was previously uncommon.

Pollen-Related Asthma More Likely to Land Black Patients in the Hospital, Study Finds
Climate change has long been associated with longer and more intense pollen seasons. In a new study, researchers in Atlanta looked at how pollen affected asthma in the city over a 26-year timeframe. The study results were similar to previous research suggesting that pollen seasons are starting earlier, lasting longer, and becoming more intense. But the study also uncovered racial disparities in emergency department visits. Black patients were twice as likely as white patients to visit the emergency department for allergic asthma. This might be due to where they live, access to health care, and disparities in asthma treatment quality.

Food Allergy

AAFA Releases Statement on FDA Decision on neffy® Epinephrine Nasal Spray
On Sept. 19, the FDA rejected neffy, an epinephrine nasal spray to treat anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction. The FDA has asked for another study. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) released a statement about the FDA’s decision.

New Stock Epinephrine and Stock Inhaler Toolkits Improve Safety of Students with Anaphylaxis and Asthma
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) has created new stock epinephrine and stock inhaler toolkits to help schools keep kids safe. The toolkits are designed to work in different states and schools to help prevent dangerous asthma and allergy emergencies and keep students safe. The epinephrine toolkit has information on what to do during a severe allergic reaction, training for non-medical staff, and videos to help students with allergies. The inhaler toolkit has resources on understanding state laws, how to help students having trouble breathing, and how to train staff.

Nestlé Divests Peanut Allergy Treatment Palforzia to Stallergenes Greer
Nestlé has sold its peanut allergy drug, Palforzia, to Stallergenes Greer, a Swiss biopharma company. Palforzia is an oral therapy that helps reduce peanut allergies by gradually exposing patients to small amounts of allergenic proteins. It was approved for children aged 4 to 17 and adults following a peanut-avoidant diet. This will expand Stallergenes Greer’s portfolio, which already has treatments for various allergies like grasses, mites, and trees.

Nasus Pharma Announces Publication of Positive Clinical Results for Its Epinephrine Intranasal Powder Spray
Nasus Pharma has shared positive findings from a study on their new epinephrine intranasal powder-based spray. This device, called FMXIN002, aims to provide quick and effective relief for severe allergic reactions caused by food, medicine, or insect bites. The study compared it to traditional epinephrine auto-injectors that deliver medicine through the muscle. The study found that FMXIN002 performed well, especially in simulating nasal congestion during allergic reactions. It delivered epinephrine quickly and effectively, with no significant side effects. This powder-based approach also offers better stability and longer shelf life compared to liquid forms of epinephrine. These results suggest that the new intranasal powder could be a promising and user-friendly solution for life-threatening allergies.

Flu

NIH Clinical Trial of Universal Flu Vaccine Candidate Begins
A clinical trial for a new universal flu vaccine has started at the National Institutes of Health's Clinical Center. Current flu vaccines are updated each year to best match the three to four strains of flu that are predicted to be the most dominant in the upcoming flu season. This new vaccine, called FluMos-v2, aims to provide broader protection by displaying harmless flu proteins on small particles. This method trains the immune system to recognize and fight the actual flu virus. The trial will involve 24 healthy volunteers receiving two shots of the vaccine 16 weeks apart. Researchers hope it will offer protection against various flu viruses. If successful, such vaccines could be taken less often and safeguard against multiple flu strains.

Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA)

FASENRA Met the Primary Endpoint in the Mandara Phase III Trial in Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA)
AstraZeneca's FASENRA (benralizumab) has shown positive results in a phase III trial for treating eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). EGPA is a rare, immune-related disease that can damage various organs if left untreated. FASENRA is a monthly injection that targets eosinophils, white blood cells involved in inflammation. The trial compared FASENRA to mepolizumab, the only approved treatment for EGPA. FASENRA demonstrated similar remission rates and was shown to be safe to use. These results are promising as there are limited treatment options for EGPA patients. FASENRA's convenience and effectiveness could make it a valuable treatment for EGPA, improving the lives of those affected.