According to 2021 data from CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, nearly 1 in 3 U.S. adults and more than 1 in 4 U.S. children reported having a seasonal allergy, eczema, or food allergy. While some reactions can range from coughing, sneezing, hives, rashes, itchy eyes, a runny nose, and a scratchy throat. In severe cases, sufferers can have low blood pressure, breathing trouble, asthma attacks, and even death if not treated quickly.
There is no cure for allergies, but an asthma drug might offer protection from severe reactions caused by ingesting allergens.
A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine revealed promising results. Researchers tested omalizumab on 180 participants – adults and children severely allergic to peanuts and other foods. After just four months, 67% of those treated with the drug could consume small amounts of peanuts without a significant reaction, compared to only 7% in the control group. Omalizumab also showed potential for raising tolerance to other allergens like cashews, milk, and eggs.
This breakthrough led the US FDA to approve omalizumab as a treatment for food allergies. It’s not a new drug; previously used for asthma, chronic hives, and nasal polyps.
Omalizumab works by targeting IgE antibodies that trigger allergic responses in the body. Given its success in treating food allergies, researchers are exploring its potential for other autoimmune conditions too.
Although omalizumab is effective at increasing tolerance levels, it doesn’t cure allergies altogether. Patients must still avoid trigger foods even while undergoing treatment. Additionally, ongoing research aims to understand why some individuals respond better than others to omalizumab.
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