Diagnostic value of outcome measures following allergen exposure in an environmental challenge chamber compared with natural conditions

Abstract

The high reproducibility and sensitivity/specificity in the ECC suggests that TNSS is a valuable outcome measure. While exhaled NO can be considered to monitor airway inflammation, nasal NO appears to be unspecific.

Recommendations for the standardization of clinical outcomes used in allergen immunotherapy trials for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis: an EAACI Position Paper

“…Several studies have shown the onset of AIT effects (81,82) and a good correlation between symptom responses during pollen exposure in the ECC compared to natural seasonal exposure in the same individuals (83)(84)(85).…”

Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy: Which Outcome Measures are Useful in Monitoring Clinical Trials?

“…66 Hence this method is capable of reproducing the study conditions of an outdoor allergy study with high specificity and high sensitivity. 82 Provocation chambers have been widely used to evaluate symptomatic antiallergic medications 83,84 but have been only marginally employed in allergen immunotherapy. [85][86][87] Single challenge tests, however, will not be able to imitate the priming effect seen in real life, which is due to repeated or continuous allergen exposures.…”

Exacerbation of atopic dermatitis on grass pollen exposure in an environmental challenge chamber

“…Because of its high reproducibility, sensitivity, and specificity, allergen challenge by using an environmental challenge chamber (ECC) has been established in recent years as a useful tool for clinical trials investigating allergic rhinitis or asthma. 19 It was the aim of the present study to further investigate the reaction of the skin on challenge with an aeroallergen in patients with AD being IgE sensitized to the allergen. For this purpose, a monocenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study was designed.…”