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Millions of asthma sufferers could have their lives transformed by a new vaccine.

Research on a vaccine tested on asthma brought on by cat allergies showed a 50% reduction in reactions, with some sufferers left with only minor symptoms.

Work is now under way to make the vaccine effective for people whose asthma is caused by allergies to dust mites and pollen. It's hoped the vaccine will be available within five years, and benefit up to three million people.

Dr Douglas Robinson, of Imperial College, London, told The Daily Mail: "In terms of controlling symptoms and preventing extreme allergic reactions it seems to be extremely effective. It may well be useful for a substantial number of allergic asthmatics."

The research results for the new treatment - known as a peptide vaccine - are due to be unveiled at the Royal Society of Medicine in London on Tuesday.

The treatment works by desensitising the immune system so that its reaction to a particular substance is reduced over time.

Patients are given injections of minute doses of substances to which they are allergic, to stimulate a minor immune reaction from the body's natural defences.

It builds on advances made more than 100 years ago when doctors discovered that they could control severe reactions to hay fever by injecting patients with extracts of the grass pollen which caused their symptoms.

The drawback to this treatment was that too much of an allergen could cause a fatal attack. The new research has been developing ways of breaking the allergen into smaller sections - peptides - that are still effective but no longer dangerous.

The research was carried out at the National Heart and Lung Institute, at Imperial College, and was part funded by the National Asthma Campaign.

Story filed: 09:18 Monday 14th April 2003

	Related stories: New hope for hayfever sufferers revealed 22:43 Sunday 16th June 2002 More related stories

Check for more on: Allergies Science and discovery Asthma Health UK

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