Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 17, 2025 3 hours, 14 minutes ago
Medical News: Peanut allergy has become a major public health concern, with cases rising significantly over the past two decades. It affects around 1.4% to 2% of the population in the United States and Europe and can cause life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. Unlike some food allergies that fade with age, peanut allergies often persist throughout life.
New Breakthroughs in Peanut Allergy Treatments Offer Hope for Millions
Managing peanut allergies currently relies on strict avoidance, carrying an epinephrine injector for emergencies, and treating allergic reactions when they occur. While these methods help prevent severe incidents, they do not offer a long-term solution. Fortunately, medical advancements are now providing promising alternatives, including immunotherapy, biologic treatments, and gene-editing technologies. This
Medical News report covers some of these new alternatives in dealing with peanut allergies.
Current Treatment Limitations
The standard approach to peanut allergy management is complete avoidance and the use of epinephrine for emergency situations. However, avoidance is challenging due to inconsistent food labeling and the risk of accidental exposure, which significantly impacts quality of life, especially for children.
In 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an intranasal version of epinephrine, offering a more convenient emergency treatment option. However, epinephrine only provides short-term relief, driving researchers to develop therapies that target the immune system’s response to peanuts rather than just treating allergic reactions.
Immunotherapy: A Promising Approach
Immunotherapy works by gradually desensitizing the immune system to peanut proteins, reducing the severity of allergic reactions. Various forms of immunotherapy are being studied, including oral, sublingual, and epicutaneous approaches.
-Oral Immunotherapy (OIT): Patients consume controlled doses of peanut protein under medical supervision to increase tolerance over time. The FDA-approved Palforzia has been effective in desensitizing children aged 4 to 17. However, this treatment requires long-term commitment and may cause gastrointestinal side effects or severe allergic reactions.
-Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT): This method involves placing small amounts of peanut protein under the tongue to build tolerance. It has a lower risk of severe reactions than OIT but may not be as effective in achieving high levels of desensitization.
-Epicutaneous Immunotherapy (EPIT): A “peanut patch” delivers small amounts of peanut protein through the skin. Currently undergoing clinical trials, it has shown promise in young children with fewer severe reactions than OIT. However, further research is needed to confirm its long-term effectiveness.
Biologic Therapies: Blocking Allergic Responses
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Biologic treatments use monoclonal antibodies to target immune pathways and reduce allergic reactions.
-Omalizumab: Originally developed for asthma, this FDA-approved anti-IgE antibody helps desensitize individuals with peanut allergies, particularly when combined with immunotherapy. It may also be used as a standalone treatment to prevent severe reactions.
-Dupilumab and Other Biologics: Additional biologic drugs are being studied for peanut allergy treatment. These medications aim to suppress inflammatory responses and may offer long-term symptom relief.
Cutting-Edge Research: Gene Editing and Novel Drug Therapies
Gene-editing technology such as CRISPR is being explored as a potential long-term cure for peanut allergies. Scientists are investigating ways to modify genes that regulate allergic responses, aiming to prevent life-threatening reactions. While still in the experimental stage, gene editing could provide a permanent solution in the future.
Another area of research focuses on Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors and spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitors, currently used for autoimmune conditions. These drugs may help suppress allergic reactions by interfering with key immune pathways. Further clinical trials are needed to assess their safety and effectiveness for peanut allergies.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
While these treatments offer hope, they also present challenges. Immunotherapy and biologic treatments may not be suitable for everyone and can carry risks, including severe reactions. The high cost of these therapies also limits accessibility. Additionally, researchers are still evaluating their long-term effectiveness and safety.
Despite these challenges, advances in allergy treatment are progressing rapidly. Ongoing clinical trials and new medical developments suggest that peanut allergies may soon become more manageable - and potentially curable.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Allergies.
https://www.mdpi.com/2313-5786/5/1/5
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/u-s-fda-approves-neffy-the-first-nasal-epinephrine-spray-for-treating-severe-allergic-reactions
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