Eye and nose allergy link study using Timothy grass allergen
Official title: Investigating Nasal and Ocular Immune Response to Conjunctival Allergen Exposure
Run by Queen's University · NCT07801625 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This pilot study tests a standardized eye allergen challenge with Timothy grass to see how the eye and nose allergy symptoms relate in people with and without grass allergy.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 12 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Queen's University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | Omalizumab, Tezepelumab, Dupilumab, Mepolizumab, Benralizumab, immunotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Kingston, Ontario) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | October 1, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07801625 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are adults 18-70 with a history of grass pollen allergy (for allergic group) or no pollen allergy (for non-allergic group) who can comply with study visits and consent.
✕Probably not a fit
People not matching the inclusion criteria or unable to undergo eye exposure or nasal sampling may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This single-center observational cohort study will develop and pilot an updated conjunctival allergen challenge (CAC) model using Timothy grass extract. Seventeen participants aged 18-70 (12 allergic or non-allergic, including 6 allergic and 6 non-allergic) will undergo three visits to assess ocular and nasal responses, tear samples, and nasal secretions after CAC exposure. The study aims to establish a reliable protocol and explore how eye exposure influences nasal symptoms in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Non-allergic participants will receive an additional CAC to evaluate allergen movement from eye to nose. The protocol updates the older 1990 CAC method to align with modern research practices.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the CAC model could standardize how eye-driven allergic responses are studied and may inform better treatments for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous CAC protocols exist but an updated, evidence-based version is being piloted, making this approach relatively novel in its current form.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
All participants must be:
1. A volunteer between the ages of 18 to 70 years of age.
2. Able to understand and willing to provide written informed consent.
3. Able and willing to comply with study requirements.
4. If the participant is a person of childbearing potential, they must practice abstinence or use a medically acceptable method of birth control and produce a negative urine pregnancy test at Visit 1, Visit 2, and Visit 3 (only non-allergic participants will require a pregnancy testing at Visit 3).
To be enrolled as an allergic participant, participants must:
1. Have a minimum 2-year history of grass-specific allergic rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms upon exposure to the relevant allergen, documented by medical history review at Visit 1.
2. Have a positive skin prick test response to Timothy grass allergen, defined as a wheal diameter ≥ 5 mm compared to the negative control wheal. This test must be performed by the study team either at the Visit 1 or historically within 1 year of Visit 1 at our research site.
3. Have a reported ocular itch ≥2, self-reported ocular redness ≥2, and ophthalmologist/optometrist confirmation of ocular redness (using slit lamp) ≥2 following CAC at Visit 1.
To be enrolled as a non-allergic participant, participants must:
1. Produce a negative skin prick test response to a panel of relevant aeroallergens tested at Visit 1 or within 1 year prior to Visit 1 at our research site.
2. Produce a negative CAC, defined by an ocular itch = 0, self-reported ocular redness ≤1, and ophthalmologist/optometrist confirmation of ocular redness (using slit lamp) ≤1 after 10 minutes in response to the lowest (1:512), moderate (1:32) and highest (1:4) concentrations of allergen at Visit 1.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants presenting with any of the following will not be included in the study:
1. Participant has a history of any disease or disorder that, in the judgement of the Principal Investigator, would impact on participant's safety or the results of the study.
2. Participant has a significant history of alcohol or drug abuse in the judgment of the Principal Investigator or delegate.
3. Participant is pregnant, lactating, or actively trying to become pregnant.
4. Participant is unable to comply with the washout periods for restricted medications, contact lens use, and smoking.
5. Participant has signs/symptoms of active seasonal AR or is allergic to a seasonal allergen that is present in the outdoor environment during the time of the screening and CAC visits and which the Principal Investigator judges would impact the outcome of the study. If the schedule allows the participant can be re-scheduled for the visit outside the allergy season.
6. Participant has any structural nasal abnormalities, nasal polyps on examination, or a history of frequent nose bleeding, as determined by a nasal examination at screening and prior to the CAC, in the judgement of the Principal Investigator or delegate.
7. Participant has a history or clinically significant findings during the ocular examination of ocular abnormalities (e.g., meibomian gland dysfunction, moderate to severe dry eyes, cicatrizing conjunctivitis, glaucoma) that may affect the outcome of the study in the judgement of the Investigator.
8. Participant has abnormalities detected on physical examination considered by the Principal Investigator to be clinically significant.
9. Participant has undergone nasal surgery within the 3 months before Visit 1.
10. Participant has undergone ocular surgery within the 3 months before Visit 1.
11. Participant has experienced or exhibits any signs or symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection within 14 days prior to any visit.\*
12. Participant reports a TNSS ≥4 prior to the titration challenge at Visit 1 or immediately prior to allergen challenge at Visit 2, as per PI judgement.\*\*
13. Participant reports ocular itch \> 0 and ocular redness \> 1 and ophthalmologist/optometrist reported redness \> 1 (using slit lamp) in either eye prior to allergen challenge at any visit.
14. Participant reports a TNSS change \> 2 from baseline, after the negative control and diluent challenge at Visit 1.
15. Participant reports ocular itching \> 0 or ocular redness \> 1, or ophthalmologist/optometrist reported redness \>1 (via slit lamp) following challenge with the negative control and diluent control.
16. Participant has a history of allergen induced asthma upon exposure to grass allergen, unless well controlled on low dose inhaled corticosteroids or when required (PRN) inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting beta-agonist as per Principal Investigator judgement.
17. Participants with asthma requiring the use of a short-acting beta agonist greater than twice a week (unless for viral or execise induced asthma) or with severe asthma requiring maintenance high dose of inhaled or oral corticosteroids or biologic therapy (Omalizumab/Tezepelumab/Dupilumab/Mepolizumab/Benralizumab).
18. Participant is currently receiving allergen specific immunotherapy to Timothy grass allergen or concluded a course of grass immunotherapy in the last 3 years.
19. Participant has a history of positive test results for to human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), Tuberculosis (not due to vaccination), Hepatitis B (not due to vaccination) or Hepatitis C.
20. Participant has received an investigational product within the previous 30 days.
21. Participant is unable and/or unlikely to comprehend and/or follow the protocol over the duration of the study.
22. Participant is unwilling to attend study visits or adhere to the study protocol, in the judgement of the Principal Investigator.
23. Participant has a known hypersensitivity to any excipient in the study formulation.
24. Participant has a history of a severe systemic allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis requiring emergency treatment) to Timothy grass or any grass pollen immunotherapy.
25. Participant is currently receiving treatment for acne (e.g., isotretinoin) or has concluded less than 1 month prior to Visit 1.
* Participant may be rescheduled once respiratory infection is cleared \*\*If TNSS≥ 4, participant may be re-booked if appropriate and the schedule permits.
Where it's running
-
Kingston Health Sciences Centre - Kingston General Hospital
Kingston, Ontario, Canada Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Anne K Ellis, MD — Queen's University
- Study coordinator: Lisa Steacy, BSc
- Email: lisa.steacy@kingstonhsc.ca
- Phone: (613) 549-6666
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.