Header start
October 9, 2025
Keio University School of Medicine
Researchers in Japan have conducted the first nationwide survey of patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in allergy research, revealing a striking gap between patient advocacy groups (PAGs) and researchers. While PAGs show strong commitment to collaboration, researcher awareness and implementation of PPIE remain limited. The study was recently published in Allergy, the official journal of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), and its findings were also presented at the Science Summit at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2025.
Tokyo, Japan – [Sept 18, 2025] –
A team of researchers from Keio University School of Medicine, the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Tokyo, and the National Center for Child Health and Development has reported the first cross-disease, cross-stakeholder survey on PPIE in Japan. The study compared allergy research with cancer and rare diseases, fields where PPIE has already advanced.
The survey revealed that:
"These findings show that allergy patient advocacy groups in Japan are ready and willing to engage, but researchers have yet to catch up," said Dr. Takeya ADACHI, corresponding author and dermatologist at Keio University. "Closing this gap is critical, especially since allergy management depends heavily on daily-life factors such as environment and lifestyle. Patient perspectives are essential to shaping meaningful research."
The study also emphasized that these results align with the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) initiatives to promote PPIE as part of national health policy. Their presentation at the UNGA Science Summit 2025 further highlights the global significance of advancing inclusive, patient-centered research practices.
Authors |
|
Title of |
Exploring Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement in Allergy Research: Cross-Disease and Cross-Stakeholder Perspectives in Japan
|
Journal |
|
DOI |
|
Affiliations |
|
Dr. Takeya Adachi
Email: jpn4156@me.com
Affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Keio University School of Medicine
Address: 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582 Japan
Phone: +81-3-5363-1211
Funding:
This research was supported by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (Grant Numbers: JP25oa0439006, JP25ek0410130, JP24ek0410090), the Scientific Research Fund of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan (Grant Numbers: 21FE2001, 24FE2002, 25FE2001, JPMH23AD1001), JSPS KAKENHI (Grant Number: 22K16268), the Secom Science and Technology Foundation, JSA WAO 2020 Memorial Research Grant Program, and the Japanese Society of Allergology Clinical Research Support Program.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure:
The authors declare no competing interests.
Footer start
Navigation start