Insect allergy

JAVELIN Trial

Jack Jumper Ant (JJA) venom allergy is a unique medical condition in Australia. The stinging ant is a leading cause of insect venom allergy in south-eastern Australia, affecting up to three per cent of the population. While 70 per cent of people with JJA allergy will have another reaction on a repeat sting and the sensitivity is likely to persist for many years.

JJA venom Immunotherapy (JJA VIT) is a standard model of care for patients with anaphylaxis to JJA venom in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

Research shows, JJA VIT is a safe and effective treatment in the prevention of severe systemic allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to future stings. However, there is a lack of evidence on the long-term benefit of the treatment and how it impacts patients’ quality of life.

Overview

The Jack Jumper Ant VEnom Immunotherapy Long-term Effectiveness INvestigation (JAVELIN) Trial is an investigator-initiated, multi-centre clinical trial. Led by the National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE), it aims to determine:

• The long-term effectiveness of JJA VIT treatment
• What impact the treatment, and having a sting challenge, has on patient quality of life
• The levels of allergen antibodies post VIT.

If successful, the trial may lead to changes and improvements in the delivery of JJA VIT across Australia, and help educate and benefit healthcare professionals, patients, their families and the broader allergy community.