MP29-02: a breakthrough for the treatment of allergic rhinitis

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis (AR) can be challenging to treat. For many patients, current therapies (including multiple therapies) provide insufficient symptom relief. There is, therefore, a clear unmet medical need for a new and more effective AR treatment option. MP29-02 (Dymista) is a novel intranasal formulation of azelastine hydrochloride and fluticasone propionate in an advanced delivery system. Areas covered: The goal of this article is to review all MP29-02 clinical data currently published with a view to establish its potential to fill the current unmet medical need in AR. Relevant articles and abstracts were reviewed from PUBMED and conference proceedings. Expert opinion: MP29-02 represents a breakthrough in AR management for the following reasons: i) MP29-02 has been extensively studied in comparison to first-line therapies in both seasonal AR (SAR) patients and in those with chronic rhinitis (i. e., perennial allergic rhinitis [PAR] and nonallergic (vasomotor) rhinitis) in one of the largest direct head-to-head clinical trial programmes in AR, to date. ii) With MP29-02, the efficacy of an intranasal corticosteroid (INS), the first-line choice for AR has been exceeded for the first time without safety repercussions. AR patients treated with MP29-02 experience significantly greater relief from their overall nasal and ocular symptoms compared to two first-line AR therapies, irrespective of season, symptom type, or disease severity. More patients treated with MP29-02 achieve a substantial reduction (i. e., 50% reduction) in their symptoms and also complete symptom relief and achieve these clinically relevant responses days faster than an INS or antihistamine. iii) Formulation of a topical medication is critical, and MP29-02's novel formulation and/or its device contribute to its clinical efficacy.