A new study offers hope to adults who live in fear of their allergic reactions, because adults suffering from severe peanut allergies could become tolerant in a few weeks.
Scientists have gradually introduced 21 adults seriously allergic to peanut products and peanuts in increasing quantities.
At the end of the trial, 14 of them were able to tolerate an entire handle of peanuts without allergic reaction.
A progressive exposure to allergens – otherwise known as oral immunotherapy – has succeeded in previous trials on children and babies, but it is the first time that it has been tested on adults.
Chief investigator Prof Stephen TillAn expert in adult allergies at King’s College in London, said in a statement that his team was “very satisfied with the results”.
“The constant fear of deadly reactions requires a huge burden for people allergic to peanuts,” he said. “The only way to manage an allergy to peanuts is strict avoidance and the treatment of allergic reactions, including with adrenaline.”
Peanut allergies affect approximately 2% of the general population of Western countries, According to a study in 2021And it seems to become more common.
Till said that this trial provided “preliminary evidence” that adults suffering from serious allergies could be desensitized and that this would improve their quality of life.
Participants in this study were 18 to 40 years old, who had been diagnosed with severe peanut allergy in Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
They started by trying tiny amounts of peanut flour mixed with food under strict supervision. The first dose was 0.8 mg – equivalent to less than 0.3% of an entire peanut.
If this was well tolerated, participants would try 1.5 mg half an hour later. If it was going well, they would try 3 mg half an hour later: 1% of a peanut.
Participants who were able to eat 1.5 or 3 mg continued to eat this quantity every day for two weeks. After that, they returned to the clinic and were supervised by trying higher doses.
Every day, the participants took their dose of peanut flour. Every two weeks, this would increase slightly – until they can tolerate 50 mg to 1 g of peanut protein: the equivalent of two to four whole peanuts.
When they reached this level, participants went to real peanuts, peanut butter or peanut products.
Chris, 28, who participated in the study, said: “All my life, I had associated the taste and smell of peanuts with fear and death. I started with a small amount of peanut flour with yogurt, and at the end of the trial, I could eat four peanuts in one session.”
Chris now eats four peanuts every day with breakfast to maintain his immunity. He added: “Before, a little mistake could have fatal impacts, but now I don’t have the fear that I can collapse and die while eating a point to take away.”
Prof Adam FoxPresident of the National Allergy Study Group and professor of pediatric allergy at King’s College in London, said that, although small, this study was “important proof” that exposure could help treat allergies among adults. Fox was not involved in the study.
However, he warned: “This treatment requires careful medical supervision and should never be tempted without it.”
The study was published in the scientific journal Allergy.
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