‘Now we have options’: the scientists trying to cure our allergies | Allergies

The New Paradigm in Allergy Treatment

A breakthrough trial this week demonstrated that two-thirds of adults with severe peanut allergies can be desensitized through clinically supervised daily exposure, using oral immunotherapy. This approach, already effective in children, represents a significant shift in allergy treatment, potentially lightening the burden of severe allergies and bringing us closer to a cure.

A Growing Prevalence

Food anaphylaxis admissions in U.K. hospitals have tripled since 1998. Factors such as changes in weaning practices and reduced childhood exposure to natural environments are believed to contribute to this rise. The urgency for effective treatments has never been greater.

Oral Immunotherapy: A Deep Dive

Oral immunotherapy involves incremental dosing protocols, but its success has been limited by intensive treatment regimes. Frequent dosage escalations and the need for continuous exposure mean it isn’t a complete cure and keeps patients on a “tightrope” of vulnerability, as noted by Prof Graham Roberts of the University of Southampton. Read more about this challenge.

Innovative Developments in Immunotherapy

Recent advancements offer hope beyond traditional approaches. The anti-IgE drug omalizumab, rooted in a landmark study, desensitizes patients to multiple allergens. Although costly, these treatments can end the constant vigilance required for families managing severe allergies.

Next-Gen Allergy Solutions

New treatments are on the horizon, such as Aravax’s vaccine candidate for peanut allergies and a promising peanut patch developed by DBV. These innovations aim to make treatment regimes less burdensome and significantly reduce the risk of severe reactions during dose escalation.

Allergy Prevention: A Forward-Thinking Approach

Historically, misguided advice to delay the introduction of allergenic foods led to increased prevalence. Recent studies, including one by Roberts, advocate for early introduction, demonstrating an 80% reduction in peanut allergies when introduced by four months of age. Changing entrenched medical practices and parental behavior continues to be a hurdle.

Prospects of a Cure

While immunotherapy provides desensitization, treatments like those for bee stings offer complete cures—a hopeful direction for Allergy experts like Prof Markus Ollert from the Luxembourg Institute of Health, who identified a potential ‘cure switch’ for allergens.

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