Trends in anesthesiology First treatment approved to reduce reaction to food allergies

ASA Monitor May 2024, Vol. 88, 27.

A 16-week clinical trial conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) showcased promising results for the monoclonal antibody, omalizumab, in reducing allergic reactions to multiple foods among children ages 1 year and older with food allergies. The trial revealed that nearly 67% of participants who underwent omalizumab treatment could consume a significant amount of peanut protein without moderate or severe allergic reactions, compared to less than 7% of those who received a placebo. Similar outcomes were observed for other common allergens like egg, milk, wheat, cashew, walnut, and hazelnut. These findings suggest that omalizumab therapy has the potential to offer protection to children and adolescents against accidental exposure to allergenic foods. FDA approval for omalizumab’s use in reducing allergic reactions to food was granted based on data from this trial. The ongoing trial, named OUtMATCH, conducted across multiple locations in the United States by the NIAID-funded Consortium for Food Allergy Research, aims to further explore the efficacy of omalizumab in reducing allergic reactions to various foods. The trial’s outcomes provide hope for individuals with food allergies and their caregivers, offering a potential means to reduce the risk of allergic reactions from accidental food exposure. Omalizumab cannot be used for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, and people taking omalizumab should still actively avoid allergens.

Source: asamonitor.pub/49MaNpm