Wiped your nose
A unique drug for the treatment of rhinitis has been created
Maria Nedyuk, Izvestia
Russian doctors have created the world's first genetically engineered drug for allergic rhinitis. The medicine in the form of a regular nasal spray relieves not only unpleasant symptoms – runny nose and sneezing, but also the inflammation of the nasal mucosa itself. Scientists who patented the substance have proven its effectiveness and safety in animals. Now the new drug is undergoing clinical trials. If they are successful, the medicine will be a salvation for allergy sufferers, whose number is still growing – it is expected that by 2050 there will be about 4 billion of them.
Scientists of the FSBI "SSC Institute of Immunology" of the FMBA of Russia have developed a unique drug for the treatment of allergic rhinitis – an inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa characterized by incessant runny nose, sneezing and headache. The disease occurs at any age as a result of an excessive reaction of the mucous membrane when inhaling pollen or other allergens.
According to the pathogenesis and mechanism of development, the disease is similar to bronchial asthma – a severe disease of the respiratory system. Allergic rhinitis often accompanies asthma or is its precursor, Musa Khaitov, director of the Institute, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Izvestia.
– When a person suffering from allergies inhales air containing pollen, mites, mold or any other air allergen, the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx becomes inflamed, – he said. – This is due to the release of inflammatory mediators, which are activated to fight the allergen-"aggressor". The active production of substances that play a key role in the development of allergic diseases begins. In particular, these are functionally similar interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13).
Scientists of the Institute of Immunology have created a molecule of an active substance that has no analogues in the world, which works at the gene level, suppressing the synthesis of inflammatory proteins IL-4 and IL-13 until their production is completely blocked. Due to the interaction with the drug, the enzyme systems of the body "cut" the matrix RNA IL-4 and IL-13, containing information about the primary structure of the protein. As a result, the "culprits" of inflammation are not produced, and the inflammation itself significantly weakens.
According to the developers, the new drug will include two components: miRNA molecules (small interfering RNAs) that stop the production of IL-4 and IL-13, and a cationic peptide for their targeted delivery. The interaction of small interfering RNAs with the matrix RNA of the target gene leads to the degradation of the latter. Targeted transportation will allow the active substance to penetrate into those areas of the cell where its properties will be realized as efficiently as possible.
In the last 60 years, humanity has been experiencing a real epidemic of allergies, said Professor Cesmi Akdis, director of the Swiss Institute for Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF) and editor-in-chief of the Allergy journal.
– It is expected that by 2050 the number of patients with allergies will increase to 4 billion. Currently, 300 million people (4.2% of the world's population) suffer from bronchial asthma, 500 million (6.5%) from atopic dermatitis, 900 million (12%) from allergic rhinitis and 700 million people have food allergies," he said. – The immune response of the so-called second type is responsible for the development of allergic reactions. IL-4 and IL-13 are its key factors. Thus, blocking these interleukins with the help of miRNA molecules is an extremely promising approach when creating new drugs for the prevention and therapy of allergic diseases.
Genetically engineered medicine has great prospects, agrees Maxim Abakumov, head of the laboratory "Biomedical Nanomaterials" of NUST MISIS.
– I would like to note that the drug is not just a new molecule, but a miRNA that eliminates the very cause of the disease, – the expert clarified. – Although, of course, the introduction of the drug to the market may become more complicated due to the novelty of the drug itself, but I think that colleagues will definitely overcome all obstacles and soon we will see it on pharmacy counters.
The drug for allergic rhinitis has already shown effectiveness in preclinical studies. Scientists suggest that the drug, released in the form of a nasal spray, will not only relieve nasal congestion, runny nose and lacrimation, but also affect the mechanism of rhinitis. It is also suitable for the treatment of other allergic diseases.
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