Spire

SPIRE is the acronym for "synthetic peptide immuno-regulatory epitopes", an immunotherapy with synthetic peptides produced according to a modular principle: allergen-specific immunodominant T-cell epitopes without IgE binding capacity and without inflammation-stimulating activity. Their presentation in a non-immunogenic form should induce a permanent allergen-specific T-cell energy after a short therapy period.

SPIRE is a further development of immunotherapy with field d-1 T-cell peptides.

This therapeutic approach is based on the development of a second generation of T-cell epitope-based peptides, the SPIREs. These consist of shorter amino acid sequences, mostly 13-17 amino acids, which represent the dominant T-cell epitopes of the corresponding allergen (Pfaar O et al. 2016)

Due to their reduced tertiary structure, these allergens have lost their ability to cross-link IgE and thus activate mast cells and basophils. The preparations developed on this basis (e.g. Cat-PAD) are in clinical development.

In a clinical study with cat allergy sufferers, the test persons were injected with the drug four times over a period of twelve weeks. Recently published data from the now two-year follow-up show that the effect is still present (Worm M et al. 2013). In addition to the fewer side effects and the "better efficacy still to be proven", the short therapy period of twelve weeks would be a decisive advantage of peptide immunotherapy (Couroux P et al. 2015).

1. Calzada D et al (2018) New Treatments for Allergy: Advances in Peptide Immunotherapy.
   Curr Med Chem 25:2215-2232.
2. Couroux P et al (2015) Fel d 1-derived synthetic peptide immuno-regulatory epitopes show a long-term treatment effect in cat allergic subjects. Clin Exp Allergy 45:974-981.
3. Pfaar O et al (2016) Fel d 1 synthetic peptides (Cat-PAD) - Good news for cat owners with children? Pediatric Allergy Immunol 27:666-670.
4. Worm M et al (2013) Cat peptide antigen desensitisation for treating cat allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Expert Opinion Investig Drugs 22:1347-1357.