loading page

Epicutaneous immunotherapy as a new hope for canine atopic dermatitis: a proof-of-concept study
  • +8
  • Marta Sofia das Neves Pinto,
  • Joana Marques Marto,
  • Laura Ramió-Lluch,
  • Vanessa Merta Schmidt,
  • Solange Gil,
  • Hugo Miguel Lino Pereira,
  • Beatriz Amaral Pinto Fernandes,
  • Ana Filipa Bizarro Camões,
  • Mário Morais-Almeida,
  • Berta Maria Fernandes Ferreira São Braz,
  • Ana Mafalda Gonçalves Xavier Félix Lourenço
Marta Sofia das Neves Pinto
Universidade de Lisboa Centro de Investigacao Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal

Corresponding Author:mpinto@fmv.ulisboa.pt

Author Profile
Joana Marques Marto
Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Farmacia
Author Profile
Laura Ramió-Lluch
Laboratorios Leti SL
Author Profile
Vanessa Merta Schmidt
University of Liverpool School of Veterinary Science
Author Profile
Solange Gil
Universidade de Lisboa Centro de Investigacao Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal
Author Profile
Hugo Miguel Lino Pereira
Universidade de Lisboa Centro de Investigacao Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal
Author Profile
Beatriz Amaral Pinto Fernandes
Universidade de Lisboa Centro de Investigacao Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal
Author Profile
Ana Filipa Bizarro Camões
Universidade de Lisboa Centro de Investigacao Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal
Author Profile
Mário Morais-Almeida
Hospital CUF Descobertas
Author Profile
Berta Maria Fernandes Ferreira São Braz
Universidade de Lisboa Centro de Investigacao Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal
Author Profile
Ana Mafalda Gonçalves Xavier Félix Lourenço
Universidade de Lisboa Centro de Investigacao Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal
Author Profile

Abstract

Background – Allergen immunotherapy is a well-established treatment for canine atopic dermatitis (CAD), but non-invasive, safe, effective, and easy-to-use home-administration routes that promote owner’s compliance are needed. Epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT) has been suggested as a promising alternative treatment for human allergies. This study primarily evaluated EPIT’s feasibility, effectiveness, and safety for CAD. Methods – Sixteen client-owned dogs with spontaneous, nonseasonal, mite-sensitive CAD were enrolled for a 6-month, once-weekly, 12-hour EPIT. A costume-made 3D-printed device was designed to deliver the allergen-based formulation. Primary efficacy outcomes included the owner’s assessed pruritus (PVAS10) and treatment efficacy (OGATE), and veterinarian-assessed skin lesions (2D-IGA). Secondary efficacy outcomes were the quality-of-life (QoL) and serological allergen-specific IgE’s concentrations. Effectiveness was defined by the success of the primary efficacy outcomes, according to the ICADA’s COSCAD’18 recommendations. EPIT was deemed safe in the absence of severe side-effects. Results – EPIT effectively improved clinical condition, with a success rate of 73.3% for pruritus, 66.7% for skin lesions, and 93.3% for QoL. A good-to-excellent response to EPIT was rated by 93.3% of owners in OGATE. EPIT significantly improved PVAS10 (p=0.000015), 2D-IGA (p=0.006) and QoL (p=0.000014) scores over six months. A significant difference was evident within one month for PVAS10 (p=0.003) and 2D-IGA (p=0.009) scores. Seven dogs partially desensitised to at least one mite and two fully desensitised to all mites after six months. Severe adverse events were not recorded. Conclusions – This pioneer study emphasises EPIT’s potential as a novel and promising, non-invasive, feasible, effective, safe, and well-tolerated CAD treatment, supporting further investigation.