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Rhinitis, Allergic, SeasonalPhase 1/2NCT05297760

Intralymphatic Immunotherapy With Polvac Grass & Rye Allergen Extract

A Phase 1/2 study testing Polvac Grass+Rye and Saline 0.9% in people with Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal and Rhinitis; Allergic, With Asthma, run by University of Zurich at 1 site in Switzerland.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The primary goal is to investigate the efficacy of intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT) for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma due to sensitisation to grass pollen allergens. 60 patients with allergic rhinitis will be included and randomized to receive either Polvac (n=30) or placebo (n=30). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 70 years
What is being tested?
Polvac Grass+Rye and Saline 0.9%
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
60 participants
Where
1 siteSwitzerland
Study dates
10 Feb 2022to 28 Feb 2025
Phase
Phase 1/2
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 70 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • passed online screening with a Rhinoconjunctivitis Total Symptom Score (RTSS) value of 8 or higher.
  • sensitisation to grass pollen allergens with a skin prick test reaction to grass pollen allergen of 3 mm or more.
  • eligible to allergen immunotherapy.
  • 18 years or older.
  • comfortable with digital data entry.

Who cannot join

  • previous grass pollen-specific immunotherapy.
  • significant allergy to mugwort or pet animal allergens.
  • uncontrolled asthma.
  • upper airway disease.
  • severe pulmonary disease.
  • recent allergic reactions.
Show all 11Show fewer
  • immunosuppression.
  • cardiovascular disease.
  • malignant disease.
  • use of ACE-blockers.
  • other diseases or conditions rendering the treatment of anaphylactic reactions difficult.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Switzerland1 site
  • University Hospital Zurich

    Zurich, 8091

Other trials in Switzerland

About this study

Official title: Documentation of Efficacy for Intralymphatic Allergen Immunotherapy in a Phase III Randomized, Parallel Group, Double Blind Placebo-controlled Multisite Field Trial

The primary goal is to investigate the efficacy of intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT) for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma due to sensitisation to grass pollen allergens. 60 patients with allergic rhinitis will be included and randomized to receive either Polvac (n=30) or placebo (n=30). All patients will receive three injections with 4-8 weeks interval. The injections into a inguinal lymph node is guided by sonography.

Patients will record symptoms and medication use in the summer of 2022 and 2023.

Read the detailed description

This study is part of a multicenter trial Phase III that takes place also in Denmark and Sweden (EudraCT registration number 2020-001060-28). The primary goal is to investigate the efficacy of intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT) for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma due to sensitisation to grass pollen allergens.

In the Swiss arm of trial, Polvac (Allergy Therapeutics, United Kingdom) is applied. In Denmark and Sweden, the applied drug is Alutard (ALK, Denmark). The major difference is the excipient adjuvant, which is microcrystallin tyrosine (MCT) in Polvac aluminium in Alutard. The concentration of major allergen 60 phl p5, as the active ingredient, is the same in both products. The active ingredient is a standardised grass pollen allergen extract combined with MCT. The allergen extract has been treated with glutaraldehyd as to reduce allergenicity, i.e., increase the safety. In Switzerland and Germany, Bencard AG is providing the product. Polvac™, is a marketed product that is approved by the Swiss Medical Product Agencies and adheres to GMP. The product consists of needle-like crystalline structures of average 20 micrometer size. Polvac is approved for subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), which consists of 6 pre-seasonal injections with 1-2 week intervals for 3-4 years, adding up to a total of 18 to 24 injections for the treatment to be completed.

In the currents study, 60 patients with allergic rhinitis will be included and randomized to receive either Polvac (n=30) or placebo (n=30). Primary screening is done online through questionnaires. Secondary screening and inclusion is done clinical at the University Hospital Zurich. All patients will receive three injections of Polvac or placebo (saline) with 4-8 weeks interval. The injections into a inguinal lymph node is guided by sonography.

For three days post each injections, adverse events will be recorded by patients using an on line application. In the summer seasons of 2022 and of 2023, the patients will record daily allergic symptoms and daily medication usage using an online application. These record are the basics for the efficacy analysis.

Addition on January 12th 2024:

After unblinding of the study in October to December 2023 and after analysis of the primary endpoint, it was decided to prolong the study in a semi-cross over. That means, study participants that received placebo in the original trial (n=30) will receive active treatment in an open label setting. The treatment will be exact similar to that of the active treatment in 2022, i.e., three ILIT injections of the IMD (Polvac Grass+Rye) with 4 weeks intervals and using the same dose as in 2022. The study participants that originally received active treatment (n=30) will not receive further treatment.

All patients (n=60), will be invited to enter symptoms and medication usage during the pollen season of 2024, similar to 2022 and 2023. In September to November 2024, the all patients will be invited for a final follow-up visit for clinical and laboratory tests. All patients will concent to the trial extension in writing prior to entering the trial extension.

Being tested
Polvac Grass+Rye, Saline 0.9%
Medical subject headings
Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal, Rhinitis, Rhinitis, Allergic

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Polvac Grass+RyeBiological

    Also called Polvac

    Suspension of micro crystalline tyrosine with grass and rye pollen allergen

  • Saline 0.9%Drug

    Also called Saline

    Physiological saline solution for use as vehicle for the biological drug (Polvac Grass+Rye) or as placebo.

Study groups in NCT05297760
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
PolvacActive comparatorPolvac Grass+Rye
Receives: Biological: Polvac Grass+Rye
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorSaline
Receives: Biological: Polvac Grass+Rye; Drug: Saline 0.9%

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Combined symptom medication score (cSMS)

    Daily registration of symptoms and medication usage by the study participants and by means of a online application. This is done during the pollen season of 2022 (and possible 2023 if the 2022 season is poor with low amounts of pollen). The assessment is done over a time period, but the records are integrated for the calculation of one single score (cSMS), which is the primary outcome.

    Measured: 3 months (2 minutes per day)

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Rhino conjunctivitis quality of life score (RQLQ)

    Weekly questionnaire for studying the quality of life of the study participants during the pollen season of 2022 (and possible 2023 if the 2022 season is poor with low amounts of pollen). The RQLQ will assess seven domains on a weekly basis on a scale from 0 (best) to 6 (worst). The assessment is done over a long time period, but the records are integrated for the calculation of one single score (RQLC), which is the secondary outcome.

    Measured: 3 months (10 minutes per week)

  2. Lower airway disease

    We will assess spirometry, at each follow-up time point (winter and summer visits) and analyse a time series of the development of each parameter in each treatment group. The assessments will be performed at several time-points and the changes from baseline assessments (before ILIT) is measured.

    Measured: 10 minutes (5 times in two years)

  3. Asthma

    We will assess FeNo (Fraction Exspiratory Nitric Oxide) at each follow-up time point (winter and summer visits) and analyse a time series of the development of each parameter in each treatment group. The assessments will be performed at several time-points and the changes from baseline assessments (before ILIT) are measured.

    Measured: 10 minutes (5 times in two years)

  4. Biomarkers

    Circulating levels of IgE, IgG1, and IgG4 specific for grass pollen extract and the major allergens Phl p 5 and Phl p 1 will be determined in blood samples before every treatment and at all the follow-up visits, for a total of 7 times per participant. The analysis is done using ImmunoCAP ELISA. In addition, IgE assessment by ISAC (112 allergens in one array) will be performed to analyse if sensitisation to other allergens develops or changes. All assessments will be performed at several time-points and the changes from baseline assessments (before ILIT) are measured.

    Measured: 5 minutes (8 times in two years)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted28 Mar 2022
  2. Study start10 Feb 2022
  3. Primary completion28 Feb 2025
  4. Study completion28 Feb 2025

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 1/2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
60 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05297760
Sponsor's protocol ID
University Hospital Zurich
Status last verified
May 2025
First submitted
3 Mar 2022
Last updated
21 May 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Anonymous data can be shared on request by contacting the principle investigator. The shared info can include: * Study Protocol * Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP) * Informed Consent Form (ICF) * Clinical Study Report (CSR)

Publications

  • Senti G, Freiburghaus AU, Larenas-Linnemann D, Hoffmann HJ, Patterson AM, Klimek L, Di Bona D, Pfaar O, Ahlbeck L, Akdis M, Weinfeld D, Contreras-Verduzco FA, Pedroza-Melendez A, Skaarup SH, Lee SM, Cardell LO, Schmid JM, Westin U, Dollner R, Kundig TM. Intralymphatic Immunotherapy: Update and Unmet Needs. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2019;178(2):141-149. doi: 10.1159/000493647. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

    PubMed 30391954
  • Freiberger SN, Zehnder M, Gafvelin G, Gronlund H, Kundig TM, Johansen P. IgG4 but no IgG1 antibody production after intralymphatic immunotherapy with recombinant MAT-Feld1 in human. Allergy. 2016 Sep;71(9):1366-70. doi: 10.1111/all.12946. Epub 2016 Jun 17.

    PubMed 27253988
  • Zaleska A, Eiwegger T, Soyer O, van de Veen W, Rhyner C, Soyka MB, Bekpen C, Demiroz D, Treis A, Sollner S, Palomares O, Kwok WW, Rose H, Senti G, Kundig TM, Ozoren N, Jutel M, Akdis CA, Crameri R, Akdis M. Immune regulation by intralymphatic immunotherapy with modular allergen translocation MAT vaccine. Allergy. 2014 Sep;69(9):1162-70. doi: 10.1111/all.12461. Epub 2014 Jul 12.

    PubMed 24934402
  • Senti G, Crameri R, Kuster D, Johansen P, Martinez-Gomez JM, Graf N, Steiner M, Hothorn LA, Gronlund H, Tivig C, Zaleska A, Soyer O, van Hage M, Akdis CA, Akdis M, Rose H, Kundig TM. Intralymphatic immunotherapy for cat allergy induces tolerance after only 3 injections. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012 May;129(5):1290-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.02.026. Epub 2012 Mar 30.

    PubMed 22464647
  • Senti G, Johansen P, Kundig TM. Intralymphatic immunotherapy. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009 Dec;9(6):537-43. doi: 10.1097/ACI.0b013e3283310ff7.

    PubMed 19680119
  • Senti G, Prinz Vavricka BM, Erdmann I, Diaz MI, Markus R, McCormack SJ, Simard JJ, Wuthrich B, Crameri R, Graf N, Johansen P, Kundig TM. Intralymphatic allergen administration renders specific immunotherapy faster and safer: a randomized controlled trial. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Nov 18;105(46):17908-12. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0803725105. Epub 2008 Nov 10.

    PubMed 19001265
  • Skaarup SH, Schmid JM, Skjold T, Graumann O, Hoffmann HJ. Intralymphatic immunotherapy improves grass pollen allergic rhinoconjunctivitis: A 3-year randomized placebo-controlled trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2021 Mar;147(3):1011-1019. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2020.07.002. Epub 2020 Jul 15.

    PubMed 32679209
  • Schmid JM, Nezam H, Madsen HH, Schmitz A, Hoffmann HJ. Intralymphatic immunotherapy induces allergen specific plasmablasts and increases tolerance to skin prick testing in a pilot study. Clin Transl Allergy. 2016 May 25;6:19. doi: 10.1186/s13601-016-0107-x. eCollection 2016.

    PubMed 27231527
  • Skaarup SH, Graumann O, Schmid J, Bjerrum AS, Skjold T, Hoffmann HJ. The number of successful injections associates with improved clinical effect in intralymphatic immunotherapy. Allergy. 2021 Jun;76(6):1859-1861. doi: 10.1111/all.14642. Epub 2020 Nov 16. No abstract available.

    PubMed 33099797
  • Aini NR, Mohd Noor N, Md Daud MK, Wise SK, Abdullah B. Efficacy and safety of intralymphatic immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Transl Allergy. 2021 Aug 17;11(6):e12055. doi: 10.1002/clt2.12055. eCollection 2021 Aug.

    PubMed 34429875
  • Werner MT, Bosso JV. Intralymphatic immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2021 Jul 1;42(4):283-292. doi: 10.2500/aap.2021.42.210028.

    PubMed 34187620
  • Hoang MP, Seresirikachorn K, Chitsuthipakorn W, Snidvongs K. Intralymphatic immunotherapy for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rhinology. 2021 Jun 1;59(3):236-244. doi: 10.4193/Rhin20.572.

    PubMed 33647073

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 1/2 study testing Polvac Grass+Rye and Saline 0.9% in people with Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal and Rhinitis; Allergic, With Asthma, run by University of Zurich at 1 site in Switzerland.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 11 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 May 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Switzerland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this combined phase mean?

Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Combined symptom medication score (cSMS) (time frame: 3 months (2 minutes per day)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05297760, which also lists 12 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 21 May 2025.

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