Drug Found to Limit Allergic Reaction to Peanuts

A study has shown that an experimental drug can help people with peanut allergies avoid life-threatening reactions. The study was published in the March 14, 2003, issue of The New England Journal of Medicine and was also presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) in Denver (CO, USA).

Food allergy symptoms can range from nausea and itching to anaphylactic shock and death. Researchers found that an anti-IgE antibody raised the average level at which study participants began reacting to peanuts, from about half a peanut to almost nine peanuts. They estimate that most of the 50-100 US annual fatal reactions to peanuts occur after an allergic person accidentally eats the equivalent of just one or two peanuts. Existing medications, including epinephrine, are taken only after the peanuts have been eaten and are not always effective.

The IgE molecule binds to a group of cells called mast cells, which then trigger the allergic response. The experimental drug, TNX-901, is a genetically engineered antibody that binds to the IgE molecule and prevents it from triggering allergic response. Stopping the response before it begins is considered a major advance. In the study, nearly a quarter of the patients receiving the highest dose of the drug consumed the equivalent of about 24 peanuts with no reaction. While many of them still reacted to peanuts after the injections, they could eat more peanuts without a reaction and reacted less vigorously to the peanuts they did eat.

TNX-901 was developed by Tanox (Houton, TX, USA). The study was conducted by researchers from the National Jewish Medical and Research Center (Denver, CO, USA) and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (New York, NY, USA).

"Anti-IgE therapy is not a cure for peanut allergy,” said Hugh Sampson, M.D., of Mount Sinai School of Medicine. "But because the amount patients could consume without serious reaction would be greatly increased, the fear of accidental ingestion that detracts from quality of life for many patients would be eliminated.”





Related Links:
Tanox
National Jewish Medical and Research Center
Mount Sinai School of Medicine