title: VTX-1463, a novel TLR8 agonist for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Allergic rhinitis significantly impacts quality of life and current treatments are frequently unsatisfying. VTX-1463 is a potent, selective, Toll-like receptor (TLR) 8 agonist administered weekly via the intranasal route without concomitant administration of allergen for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The rationale for TLR8 as a therapeutic target in allergic disease is summarized. The potency of VTX-1463 for TLR8 is outlined, and preclinical efficacy data from a ragweed-sensitized beagle dog model of allergic rhinitis are reviewed. Results of three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials with VTX-1463 are also reviewed: (i) a first-in-man study in healthy volunteers, (ii) an allergen challenge study in atopic individuals out of pollen seasons and (iii) an allergen challenge study in atopic individuals during season.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Two or four weekly pretreatments with VTX-1463 in subjects with grass pollen allergies provided statistically significant improvement in nasal symptoms, as measured by total nasal symptom score (TNSS) and active anterior rhinomanometry (AAR), while subjects were exposed to grass pollen in the Vienna Challenge Chamber (VCC). Improvement in nasal secretion weights and ocular symptom scores was also observed. VTX-1463 is a promising new agent for the treatment of seasonal, and potentially perennial, allergic rhinitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vienna Challenge Chamber, Institute for Allergy Research, Allergy Centre Vienna West, Hütteldorferstrasse 42-46, 1150 Vienna, Austria. f.horak@vcc.at
authors.forename: Friedrich
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Horak
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D051200:Toll-Like Receptor 8 / Q000819:agonists* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; C495349:TLR8 protein, human; D051200:Toll-Like Receptor 8