Bacterial Mucosal Immunotherapy with MV130 Prevents Recurrent Wheezing in Children: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

<b>Rationale:</b> Recurrent wheezing in children represents a severe public health concern. Wheezing attacks (WA), mainly associated with viral infections, lack effective preventive therapies. <b>Objectives:</b> To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mucosal sublingual immunotherapy based on whole inactivated bacteria (MV130) in preventing WA in children. <b>Methods:</b> A Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial including a cohort of 120 children <3 years old with ⩾3 WA during the previous year was conducted. Children with a positive skin test to common aeroallergens in the area where the clinical trial was performed were excluded from the trial. Subjects received MV130 or placebo daily for 6 months. The primary endpoint was the number of WA within 1 year after the first dose comparing MV130 and placebo. <b>Measurements and Main Results:</b> There was a significant lower number of WA in MV130 versus the placebo group, 3.0 (interquartile range [IQR], 2.0-4.0) versus 5.0 (IQR, 3.0-7.0) (<i>P</i> < 0.001). As secondary outcomes, a decrease in the duration of WA and a reduction in symptoms and medication scores in the MV130 versus placebo group were found. No adverse events were reported related to the active treatment. <b>Conclusions:</b> Mucosal bacterial immunotherapy with MV130 shows safety and clinical efficacy against recurrent WA in children.Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01734811).