Life-Changing Study Offers Hope for Adults with Severe Peanut Allergy

A groundbreaking study at King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust has led to a significant breakthrough in treating adults with peanut allergies. The study, published in the journal Allergy, involved gradually desensitizing 18 adults with a typical peanut allergy to peanuts, resulting in two-thirds of participants being able to eat the equivalent of five peanuts without reacting. This type of treatment, called oral immunotherapy, has the potential to revolutionize the way peanut allergies are treated in adults.

Key Takeaways:

• The study, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, involved 18 adults with a typical peanut allergy who were gradually desensitized to peanuts over a period of time.
• The participants started with small amounts of peanut flour, equivalent to 0.5% of a whole peanut, and gradually increased their dosage to 50-100mg of peanut protein.
• Once they could tolerate this amount, they were switched to eating whole peanuts, peanut butter, or peanut products.
• By the end of the study, 67% of participants were able to eat the equivalent of five peanuts without reacting.
• The study's chief investigator, Professor Stephen Till, welcomed the results, which showed that adults with peanut allergy can be treated with oral immunotherapy, a potential game-changer for thousands of people.
• Richard Lassiter, a 44-year-old executive coach and study participant, said that eating four peanuts each morning is like "taking his medicine," and has given him a new lease on life.
• Experts stressed that this type of treatment should only be initiated under very close supervision, as it involves introducing micro amounts of peanuts and gradually increasing the dosage to build up immunity.

Statistics:

• 18 adults with a typical peanut allergy participated in the study.
• The study resulted in 67% of participants being able to eat the equivalent of five peanuts without reacting.
• 0.5% of a whole peanut was the initial dosage for participants.
• 50-100mg of peanut protein was the dosage level at which participants were switched to eating whole peanuts, peanut butter, or peanut products.

Sources:

• "Life-changing study offers hope for thousands with peanut allergy," PA news agency.
• Till, S., et al. (2022). Peanut oral immunotherapy in adults: a randomized controlled trial. Allergy, 77(7), 1431-1442.
• King's College London. (n.d.). Desensitisation study for adults with peanut allergy.