Essential
- Scientists have designed a monoclonal antibody that blocks the allergic reaction to pollen.
- The latter applies inside the nose.
- Tested on mice, the treatment must have many stages before arriving on the market.
Good news for the four out of 10 Europeans who start to sneeze, sniff and have his eyes tear during the pollen season. Researchers have developed a monoclonal antibody capable of fighting hay fever. The particularity of this new treatment? It applies directly in the nose.
Pollen allergy: monoclonal antibody neutralizes the allergen
Desensitization (or allergenic immunotherapy) is one of the treatments against the most used allergies, but it is not effective in all patients. It is then possible to turn to IGG class antibodies which have the ability to recognize the allergen and block it or even prevent IGE antibodies (involved in allergic reactions, editor’s note) of acting. However, the administration of this treatment involves injection into the bloodstream. To facilitate care, the researchers tried to find a new way of giving the remedy. And, they got there. They have developed a monoclonal antibody that can block the Armoise pollen allergen which applies directly in the nose.
“Our method acts immediately and locally on the nasal mucosa, by neutralizing the allergen in contact. This” molecular shield “prevents not only the activation of IGE antibodies, but can also reduce inflammation by other mechanisms, such as the appeasement of immune responses and the promotion of regulatory routes”explains Pr Kaissar Tabynov, director of the International Center for Vaccinology at the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University (Kazakhstan) and the main study, published in the journal Frontiers in ImmunologyJuly 11, 2025.
Allergic rhinitis: promising nasal treatment
To test the efficiency of the treatment, the team administered its monoclonal antibody inside the nose of five mice, stimulated to become allergic to the Armoise pollen. Five other rodents served as positive witnesses: they had been made aware of the same way, but had received a placebo. Five others served as negative witnesses. They did not suffer from allergic rhinitis and did not have the new substance. Three weeks later, all of these animals were exposed to Armoise Pollens.
Results: mice having received the monoclonal antibody presented a significant reduction in allergy symptoms compared to others. “For example, they presented a lower pollen ears of ears (a frequent allergic reaction in rodents); they rubbed their noses less frequently, indicating less irritation of the upper respiratory tract; their pulmonary capacity was preserved after exposure to pollen; and they presented less inflammation inside the nostrils. Inside the lungs, the levels of two molecules promoting Inflammation, cytokines, were also reduced “specify the authors in their press release.
If the trials have been very encouraging, the researchers indicate that there is still a lot of work before seeing their drug on the market. “Before this treatment can be tested on people, we must adapt the antibodies to make it compatible with humans – a process called” humanization ” – and conduct additional preclinical studies on safety and efficiency”explains Pr Tabynov who expects a launch within 5 to 7 years if everything is going well.
