Nut allergy cracked
TWO thirds of children with peanut allergies have been seemingly cured of the deadly condition through a world-first Melbourne medical breakthrough that may be adapted to other types of food allergies.
More than four years after completing a trial of an experimental peanut-probiotic treatment, the majority of children can freely eat the once deadly nuts with no symptoms.
Results of a new Murdoch Children’s Research Institute study are the first time anyone has been able to prove a longterm ability to suppress the allergic reaction to peanuts.
Peanut allergies are the most common cause of anaphylaxis and one of the most frequent causes of death from food allergy.
Pioneered by Professor Mimi Tang, the MCRI breakthrough also provides a blueprint to overcome other allergies by combining a gradual introduction of the dangerous foods with high-dose probiotics. “They are eating peanuts at free will, as they wish. It basically means we were able to get children with peanut allergy to the point they can live like somebody that doesn’t have peanut allergy,” Prof Tang said.
“It is a fantastic feeling to think that maybe we are making a difference, maybe we are onto something that is going to change the lives of these children with peanut allergies, and maybe all food allergies.”
An initial study of the Probiotic and Peanut Oral Immuno- therapy found that 82 per cent of allergic children could tolerate nuts two weeks after ceasing the treatment, however it was not known how long the benefits would last.
But a further examination, published today in the prestigious Lancet journal, found 20 out of 24 children who were able to eat peanuts in the weeks after the initial trial can still tolerate them an average of 4.2 years later.
“Our findings are really exciting because they suggest a cure is a realistic target for us to aim for in treating food allergies,” Prof Tang said. “This is a very promising approach now to deal with the increasing food allergy epidemic worldwide.”
Of the four children who had reactions to nuts in the years following the initial trial all were minor, suggesting it was safe to continue eating peanuts.
The MCRI last year received a $8 million boost from a capital investment firm to fast-track the therapy so it can be available to patients within 5 to 10 years.