Finally some good news for adults with peanut allergies. For a while now it has been known that peanut allergies in young children can be treated with oral immunotherapy (using very tiny doses of peanut protein). But what about adults?
The Phase 2 Trial in adults (average age 24.2 years) with peanut allergies also found good results - by the end they could consume the equivalent of more than 4 peanuts without reacting.
The Grown Up Peanut Immunotherapy (GUPI) trial consisted of 21 adults who ingested tiny doses of peanut protein (peanut flour) taken under strict supervision - with slight increases of peanut protein every 2 weeks until reaching a maintenance dose of 1000 mg (4 large peanuts). 67% of the participants reached the maintenance goal, but 3 adults withdrew from the study due to adverse reactions, and another 3 for unrelated reasons. The 67% also tolerated well a final challenge equivalent to 12 peanuts.
Doing this under supervision was important because when the peanut doses were increased, there initially were side effects. It was also important that daily doses weren't skipped.
In other words, it appears that oral peanut immunotherapy might be an effective treatment for many (most?) adults with peanut allergies. The same researchers will now continue the next phase of clinical trials. Stay tuned...
From Medical Xpress: Daily doses of peanuts tackle allergic reactions in adults, Phase II trial shows
The first clinical trial to test whether adults allergic to peanuts can be desensitized has shown great success with two thirds of the cohort consuming the equivalent of five peanuts without reacting. ...continue reading "Treating Adult Peanut Allergies With Tiny Daily Doses of Peanuts"