A New Peanut Allergy Drug Could Be a Promising Treatment for Children

A new drug could become the first-ever protective treatment for the more than one million children in the U.S. who suffer from peanut allergies. In a phase-three trial, the results of which were published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the peanut-derived drug AR101 helped some children with severe peanut allergies tolerate the equivalent of two peanut kernels without serious side effects. Prior to taking the drug, none of these children could safely ingest more than the equivalent of one-tenth of a kernel. AR101, which is manufactured by Aimmune Therapeutics (the company also designed and funded the study), delivers a controlled daily dose of peanut protein, with the goal of building tolerance over time and minimizing the dangers of accidental peanut exposure. Tolerance-building is a well-established strategy for both preventing new peanut allergies and curtailing existing ones, but there is not currently a drug that provides this effect. AR101 still needs to secure Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. But the results of the new trial are encouraging, especially since peanut allergies are growing more common, affecting about 2.5% of American children, according to recent estimates. About 500 children ages 4 to 17, as well as 50 adults, participated in the study. Data was collected in 10 countries in North America and Europe. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either gradually increasing doses of AR101 or a placebo; both were given as powders tha...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized healthytime Research Source Type: news