In a large study of peanut-allergic toddlers on OIT published recently in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet, 71% of treated children could safely consume the equivalent to nearly 17 peanuts after 2½ years on oral immunotherapy. Even after stopping treatment for the next 6 months, more than 1 in 5 maintained that level of protection, and nearly 3 in 5 could still eat the equivalent of 2 peanuts.
About 2% of children in the United States are allergic to peanuts, and most will not outgrow this allergy. However, this research suggests that the immune system is easier to change during early childhood and that OIT can be considered for young children with peanut allergy.
The landmark results of the trial suggest a window of opportunity in early childhood to induce remission of peanut allergy through oral immunotherapy,” says NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci.
