Methods and articles for allergic desensitization via the oral mucosa

Abstract

Compositions and methods of use for desensitizing a subject to an allergen via regions of the oral mucosa are provided.

1 . A chewing gum comprising:
 one or more allergens;   a gum base;   one or more flavoring agents; and   a sweetening agent.   
     
     
         2 . The chewing gum according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more additional ingredients selected from humectants, softeners, coloring agents, stabilizers, or preservatives. 
     
     
         3 . The chewing gum according to  claim 1 , wherein the gum base is selected from chicle, a natural latex product, a natural gum, or a synthetic rubber. 
     
     
         4 . The chewing gum according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more allergens is selected from a plant pollen allergen, a dust allergen, an animal dander allergen, a mold allergen, a food allergen, and a venom allergen. 
     
     
         5 . The chewing gum according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more allergens is provided in a form selected from a natural form, an extract, or a recombinantly produced form. 
     
     
         6 . The chewing gum according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more allergens is a protein. 
     
     
         7 . The chewing gum according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more allergens comprises an environmental allergen selected to correspond with an allergic response of a subject. 
     
     
         8 . The chewing gum according to  claim 1 , wherein the chewing gum is a center-filled chewing gum comprising a soft or liquid center, optionally wherein the soft or liquid center is surrounded at least in part by a barrier layer. 
     
     
         9 . The chewing gum according to  claim 8 , wherein the one or more allergens is present in the soft or liquid center of the center-filled chewing gum. 
     
     
         10 . The chewing gum according to  claim 1 , wherein the chewing gum is provided in a unit form selected from a stick, a ribbon, or a ball. 
     
     
         11 . A method of decreasing sensitivity to one or more allergens in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising the subject chewing a chewing gum comprising:
 one or more allergens selected to correspond with an allergic response of the subject;   a gum base;   one or more flavoring agents;   a sweetening agent; and   one or more additional ingredients selected from humectants, softeners, coloring agents, stabilizers, or preservatives.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the subject chews the chewing gum according to a frequency of:
 1 to 5 units of chewing gum daily; or   1 to 10 units of chewing gum weekly.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the subject begins a regimen of chewing the chewing gum:
 at least 7 days;   at least 1 to 4 weeks;   at least 4 to 8 weeks;   at least 8 to 16 weeks;   at least 16 to 24 weeks;   at least 24 to 36 weeks; or   at least 36 to 52 weeks prior to an anticipated exposure to the one or more allergens.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein chewing the chewing gum results in contact of the one or more allergens with the vestibular oral mucosa of the subject. 
     
     
         15 . A method for reducing symptoms of allergy in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising the subject chewing a chewing gum comprising:
 one or more allergens selected to correspond with an allergic response of the subject;   a gum base;   one or more flavoring agents;   a sweetening agent; and   one or more additional ingredients selected from humectants, softeners, coloring agents, stabilizers, or preservatives.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the subject chews the chewing gum according to a frequency of:
 1 to 5 units of chewing gum daily; or   1 to 10 units of chewing gum weekly.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the subject begins a regimen of chewing the chewing gum:
 at least 7 days;   at least 1 to 4 weeks;   at least 4 to 8 weeks;   at least 8 to 16 weeks;   at least 16 to 24 weeks;   at least 24 to 36 weeks; or   at least 36 to 52 weeks prior to an anticipated exposure to the one or more allergens.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein chewing the chewing gum results in contact of the one or more allergens with the vestibular oral mucosa of the subject.