New cure for peanut allergy?

Newly developed pill could facilitate handling of peanut allergy

Many people in the world suffer from a peanut allergy. For those affected, diet can be a big problem because traces of peanuts are found in many foods. The effects of consumption range from a simple rash to anaphylaxis. So-called anaphylactic shock can even lead to the death of those affected. Pills with a peanut protein can protect people with peanut allergy from the serious consequences of their allergy in the future?

Researchers at the University of North Carolina found in their recent research that peanut protein pills in people with peanut allergy can increase the protective effects of allergic reactions. The physicians published the results of their study in the English-language journal "Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice".

The most common food allergy

About one in 70 children and one in 160 adults is allergic to peanuts, making peanut allergy the most common food allergy. A person with a severe allergy to peanuts can experience dangerous symptoms from tiny traces of nuts. These range from rash to anaphylactic shock.

Preventive treatment can prevent allergic reactions

Apparently, there is a preventative treatment that could help prevent the worst allergic reactions in the future. The results of the study have shown that peanut protein pills can act as a vaccine to the immune system. So-called oral immunotherapy can reduce the severity of an allergic reaction to peanuts, the authors explain. To completely avoid the risk of an allergic reaction, however, there is only one option for allergy sufferers: Stay away from peanuts.

Treatment should by no means cure the allergy

Immunotherapy is particularly targeted at people with allergies, who are careful and avoid contact with peanuts, but may still be exposed to traces of peanuts in food. The goal of the treatment is not to try to cure the allergy, but to train the immune system of an allergic person so that it does not react so strongly when exposed to a small amount of peanut, say the scientists.

Pill contained peanut flour

The study measuring the potential effectiveness of this method was conducted on 29 people aged between four and 26 years in ten US cities. There were also 26 participants in a control group. Each of the 29 participants in the study received an experimental drug containing peanut flour in a pill. Subjects from the control group received pills with oatmeal instead.

Dosage was boosted within six months

Over a period of six months, the participants who took the peanut meal pills gradually received increasing doses of the powder. All subjects then had to eat about one and a half peanuts during a food test. When participants took the peanut pills, 79 percent did not respond to the allergen. When people only took a placebo, the results looked different. 81 percent showed mild to moderate reactions such as itchy body rashes, vomiting, abdominal pain or anaphylaxis, although none of the reactions was life-threatening. Only 19 percent in this group showed no reaction to the allergen.

Further research is needed

The pills can protect allergy sufferers from allergic reactions if they consume one-tenth of a peanut. Also, the intake of one equivalent of two to four peanuts only led to mild, temporary symptoms, the researchers say. Another ongoing study of about 500 participants between the ages of four and 17 found that taking increasing doses of peanut pills resulted in protection against allergic reactions. Seventy-six percent of the participants who took the peanut pills were able to tolerate small amounts of peanut exposure. Now, more studies with more participants are needed to prove that the treatment works so that the pills can be approved for general use. (As)