Solid-in-Oil Nanodispersions for Transcutaneous Immunotherapy of Japanese Cedar Pollinosis

• Main Authors: Qingliang Kong, Momoko Kitaoka, Rie Wakabayashi, Yoshiro Tahara, Noriho Kamiya, Masahiro Goto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-03-01
• Series: Pharmaceutics
• Subjects: allergen-specific immunotherapy; japanese cedar pollinosis; solid-in-oil nanodispersions; transcutaneous immunotherapy
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/12/3/240

Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCP) is a common affliction caused by an allergic reaction to cedar pollen and is considered a disease of national importance in Japan. Antigen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the only available curative treatment for JCP. However, low compliance and persistence have been reported among patients subcutaneously or sublingually administered AIT comprising a conventional antigen derived from a pollen extract. To address these issues, many research studies have focused on developing a safer, simpler, and more effective AIT for JCP. Here, we review the novel antigens that have been developed for JCP AIT, discuss their different administration routes, and present the effects of anti-allergy treatment. Then, we describe a new form of AIT called transcutaneous immunotherapy (TCIT) and its solid-in-oil (S/O) nanodispersion formulation, which is a promising antigen delivery system. Finally, we discuss the applications of S/O nanodispersions for JCP TCIT. In this context, we predict that TCIT delivery by using a S/O nanodispersion loaded with novel antigens may offer an easier, safer, and more effective treatment option for JCP patients.