Skip to content

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study of Sublingual/Oral Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Peanut Allergy

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study of Sublingual/Oral Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Peanut Allergy

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 1Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01084174
Enrollment
21
Registered
2010-03-10
Start date
2010-03-31
Completion date
2013-01-31
Last updated
2017-04-07

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Peanut Hypersensitivity, Food Hypersensitivity, Immediate Hypersensitivity

Keywords

Peanut Allergy

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to explore the safety and efficacy of a sublingual (under the tongue) immunotherapy (SLIT) dosing regimen and an oral immunotherapy (OIT) regimen in inducing desensitization and long term tolerance in children with persistent peanut allergy.

Detailed description

To effectively address the Primary Objectives of this pilot study, 30 subjects aged 6-21 years with: (1) a convincing clinical history of peanut allergy (PA), (2) a serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) specific to peanut of \>0.35 kilo units per liter (kU/L) and a skin prick test (SPT) wheal \>3 mm, will be enrolled. Subjects will be recruited from the Johns Hopkins Pediatric Allergy Clinic. Participants will undergo an initial screening visit that will include a medical history, physical exam, skin testing, and phlebotomy. Informed consent and assent will be obtained. At the next two visits, 20 participants will complete a double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC). Eligible subjects will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio into two groups. One group will receive active SLIT with placebo OIT and the other group will begin active OIT with placebo SLIT dose escalation. Over the next 16 weeks of the study, subjects will undergo SLIT and OIT dose increases. A maintenance dose will then be taken at home daily for 12 months. A DBPCFC will be completed after 6 months and 12 months of home dosing. Those patients who pass the DBPCFC will be taken off SLIT and OIT for 4 weeks. A final challenge will be administered at the end of this period. Ten additional peanut-allergic subjects age 6-21 years will be enrolled and followed as longitudinal controls for the mechanistic studies. These subjects will follow a modified schedule compared to those subjects receiving study treatment and will be evaluated by phlebotomy, end point titration prick skin testing, and saliva collection. These patients will continue strict avoidance of peanut unless otherwise advised by their personal physician.

Interventions

Delivered orally

DRUGPeanut extract

Delivered sublingually

DRUGPlacebo extract

Delivered sublingually

DRUGPlacebo powder

Delivered orally

Sponsors

Johns Hopkins University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Years to 21 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Are ages 6 to 21 years of either sex, any race, and any ethnicity at the time of the initial visit. * Have a physician diagnosed peanut allergy or a convincing clinical history of peanut allergy (urticaria, upper or lower respiratory symptoms, GI disturbances, rash or oral symptoms). * Have a skin prick test positive to peanut (diameter of wheal 3 mm ≥ negative control) and detectable serum peanut-specific IgE level (UniCAP ≥ 0.35 kU/L). * Have a positive reaction to a cumulative dose of ≤1,000 mg of peanut powder in the initial qualifying DBPCFC. * Use an effective method of contraception by females of childbearing potential to prevent pregnancy and agree to continue to practice an acceptable method of contraception for the duration of their participation in the study. * Ability to perform spirometry maneuvers in accordance with the American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines (1994). * Have self-injectable epinephrine (i.e. EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr.®) available at all times. * Provide signed informed consent (by parent or legal guardian if the subject is a minor) and informed assent if applicable.

Exclusion criteria

* Have a history of severe anaphylaxis to peanut with hypoxia (cyanosis or peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) ≤92% at any stage), hypotension or neurological compromise (confusion, collapse, loss of consciousness or incontinence). * Tolerates more than 1,000 mg of peanut powder at the initial qualifying DBPCFC. * Have a viral upper respiratory infection (URI) or gastroenteritis within 7 days of OFC (OFC will need to be rescheduled). * Currently participating in a study using an investigational new drug. * Participation in any interventional study for the treatment of food allergy in the past 12 months. * Pregnancy or lactation * Allergy to placebo ingredients (Glycerin or oat flour) OR reacts to any dose of placebo during the qualifying OFC. * Currently in a buildup phase of any allergy immunotherapy. * Poor control of atopic dermatitis. * Have pulmonary function tests with forced expiratory volume 1 (FEV1) value \<80% predicted or any clinical features of greater than moderate persistent asthma and greater than high daily doses of inhaled corticosteroids (\>500µg/day fluticasone or equivalent). * Use of steroid medications (oral steroids, such as prednisone or Medrol, steroid injections, such as Kenalog, or IV or oral corticosteroid burst) in the following manners: o History of daily oral steroid dosing within 4 weeks prior to baseline visit or for \> 1 month during the past year or burst oral steroid course in the past 6 months or \> 1 burst oral steroid course in the past year. * Asthma requiring * ≥1 hospitalization in the past year for asthma or * \>1 ER visit in the past 6 months for asthma * Use of omalizumab or other non-traditional forms of allergen immunotherapy (e.g., oral or sublingual) or immuno-modulatory therapy (not including corticosteroids) or biologic therapy within the past year. * Use of β-blockers (oral), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARB), calcium channel blockers or tricyclic antidepressant therapy. * Inability to discontinue antihistamines for 5 days for long acting and 3 days for short acting prior to skin testing or OFC's. * History of alcohol or drug abuse. * Active eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease in the past two years. * Have other significant medical conditions (e.g., liver, gastrointestinal, kidney, cardiovascular, pulmonary disease, or blood disorders) which, in the opinion of the Investigator, make the subject unsuitable for induction of food reactions. * Any previous intubation due to allergies or asthma. * Severe reaction at initial DBPCFC, defined as: * Life-threatening anaphylaxis * Requiring overnight hospitalization

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of Participants With Induced Peanut Desensitization at 12 Months12 monthsPeanut desensitization was defined as a greater than 10-fold increase in oral food challenge (OFC) threshold after 12 months of therapy.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Between Arm Change in IgG4 From Baseline to 6 MonthsBaseline and 6 monthsIgG4 levels are measured in milligrams of Antibody per liter (mga/L) and were collected at baseline and at 6 months
Between Arm Change in IgG4 From Baseline to 12 MonthsBaseline and 12 monthsIgG4 levels are measured in milligrams of Antibody per liter (mga/L) and were collected at baseline and at 12 months
Between Arm Change in IgG4 From Baseline to End of Dose Build-up (up to 16 Weeks)Baseline and end of dose build-up (up to 16 weeks)Serum immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) levels are measured in milligrams of Antibody per liter (mga/L) and were collected at baseline and at the end of dose build-up (up to 16 weeks)
Between Arm Change in IgE From Baseline to 6 MonthsBaseline and 6 monthsSerum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels are measured in kilo units of Antibody per liter (kUa/L) and were collected at baseline and at 6 months
Between Arm Change in IgE From Baseline to 12 MonthsBaseline and 12 monthsIgE levels are measured in kilo units of Antibody per liter (kUa/L) and were collected at baseline and at 12 months
Between Arm Change in IgE From Baseline to End of Dose Build-up (up to 16 Weeks)Baseline to end of dose build-up (up to 16 weeks)

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Active SLIT/Placebo OIT
These subjects will receive peanut powder given orally and placebo extract given sublingually. Peanut powder: Delivered orally Placebo extract: Delivered sublingually
10
Active OIT/Placebo SLIT
These subjects will receive peanut extract given sublingually and placebo powder given orally. Peanut extract: Delivered sublingually Placebo powder: Delivered orally
11
Total21

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyAnaphylaxis01
Overall StudyEosinophilic esophagitis01
Overall Studygastrointestinal symptoms11
Overall StudyParticipant noncompliance01

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicActive SLIT/Placebo OITActive OIT/Placebo SLITTotal
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
10 Participants11 Participants21 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Atopic dermatitis6 Participants6 Participants12 Participants
Other food allergies10 Participants10 Participants20 Participants
Prior history of peanut anaphylaxis1 Participants6 Participants7 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
10 participants11 participants21 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
6 Participants4 Participants10 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
4 Participants7 Participants11 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 4,5780 / 4,049
other
Total, other adverse events
416 / 4,5781,736 / 4,049
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 4,5780 / 4,049

Outcome results

Primary

Number of Participants With Induced Peanut Desensitization at 12 Months

Peanut desensitization was defined as a greater than 10-fold increase in oral food challenge (OFC) threshold after 12 months of therapy.

Time frame: 12 months

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Active SLIT/Placebo OITNumber of Participants With Induced Peanut Desensitization at 12 Months9 Participants
Active OIT/Placebo SLITNumber of Participants With Induced Peanut Desensitization at 12 Months7 Participants
Secondary

Between Arm Change in IgE From Baseline to 12 Months

IgE levels are measured in kilo units of Antibody per liter (kUa/L) and were collected at baseline and at 12 months

Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEDIAN)
Active SLIT/Placebo OITBetween Arm Change in IgE From Baseline to 12 MonthsBaseline163 kUa/L
Active SLIT/Placebo OITBetween Arm Change in IgE From Baseline to 12 Months12 months273 kUa/L
Active OIT/Placebo SLITBetween Arm Change in IgE From Baseline to 12 MonthsBaseline169 kUa/L
Active OIT/Placebo SLITBetween Arm Change in IgE From Baseline to 12 Months12 months53 kUa/L
p-value: 0.007Regression, Linear
Secondary

Between Arm Change in IgE From Baseline to 6 Months

Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels are measured in kilo units of Antibody per liter (kUa/L) and were collected at baseline and at 6 months

Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEDIAN)
Active SLIT/Placebo OITBetween Arm Change in IgE From Baseline to 6 MonthsBaseline163 kUa/L
Active SLIT/Placebo OITBetween Arm Change in IgE From Baseline to 6 Months6 months387 kUa/L
Active OIT/Placebo SLITBetween Arm Change in IgE From Baseline to 6 MonthsBaseline169 kUa/L
Active OIT/Placebo SLITBetween Arm Change in IgE From Baseline to 6 Months6 months68 kUa/L
p-value: 0.07Regression, Linear
Secondary

Between Arm Change in IgE From Baseline to End of Dose Build-up (up to 16 Weeks)

Time frame: Baseline to end of dose build-up (up to 16 weeks)

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)
Active SLIT/Placebo OITBetween Arm Change in IgE From Baseline to End of Dose Build-up (up to 16 Weeks)Baseline163 kUa/L
Active SLIT/Placebo OITBetween Arm Change in IgE From Baseline to End of Dose Build-up (up to 16 Weeks)End of dose build-up (up to 16 weeks)369 kUa/L
Active OIT/Placebo SLITBetween Arm Change in IgE From Baseline to End of Dose Build-up (up to 16 Weeks)Baseline169 kUa/L
Active OIT/Placebo SLITBetween Arm Change in IgE From Baseline to End of Dose Build-up (up to 16 Weeks)End of dose build-up (up to 16 weeks)392 kUa/L
p-value: 0.4Regression, Linear
Secondary

Between Arm Change in IgG4 From Baseline to 12 Months

IgG4 levels are measured in milligrams of Antibody per liter (mga/L) and were collected at baseline and at 12 months

Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

Population: One participant in the Active SLIT/Placebo OIT arm and 4 participants in the Active OIT/Placebo SLIT arm discontinued prior to month 12.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEDIAN)
Active SLIT/Placebo OITBetween Arm Change in IgG4 From Baseline to 12 MonthsBaseline0.9 mga/L
Active SLIT/Placebo OITBetween Arm Change in IgG4 From Baseline to 12 Months12 months8.5 mga/L
Active OIT/Placebo SLITBetween Arm Change in IgG4 From Baseline to 12 MonthsBaseline1.3 mga/L
Active OIT/Placebo SLITBetween Arm Change in IgG4 From Baseline to 12 Months12 months76 mga/L
p-value: <0.001Regression, Linear
Secondary

Between Arm Change in IgG4 From Baseline to 6 Months

IgG4 levels are measured in milligrams of Antibody per liter (mga/L) and were collected at baseline and at 6 months

Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

Population: One participant in the Active sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)/Placebo oral immunotherapy (OIT) arm and 4 participants in the Active OIT/Placebo SLIT arm discontinued prior to month 6.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEDIAN)
Active SLIT/Placebo OITBetween Arm Change in IgG4 From Baseline to 6 Months6 months7.9 mga/L
Active SLIT/Placebo OITBetween Arm Change in IgG4 From Baseline to 6 MonthsBaseline0.9 mga/L
Active OIT/Placebo SLITBetween Arm Change in IgG4 From Baseline to 6 MonthsBaseline1.3 mga/L
Active OIT/Placebo SLITBetween Arm Change in IgG4 From Baseline to 6 Months6 months83.4 mga/L
p-value: <0.001Regression, Linear
Secondary

Between Arm Change in IgG4 From Baseline to End of Dose Build-up (up to 16 Weeks)

Serum immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) levels are measured in milligrams of Antibody per liter (mga/L) and were collected at baseline and at the end of dose build-up (up to 16 weeks)

Time frame: Baseline and end of dose build-up (up to 16 weeks)

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEDIAN)
Active SLIT/Placebo OITBetween Arm Change in IgG4 From Baseline to End of Dose Build-up (up to 16 Weeks)Baseline0.9 mga/L
Active SLIT/Placebo OITBetween Arm Change in IgG4 From Baseline to End of Dose Build-up (up to 16 Weeks)End of dose build-up (up to 16 weeks)2.5 mga/L
Active OIT/Placebo SLITBetween Arm Change in IgG4 From Baseline to End of Dose Build-up (up to 16 Weeks)Baseline1.3 mga/L
Active OIT/Placebo SLITBetween Arm Change in IgG4 From Baseline to End of Dose Build-up (up to 16 Weeks)End of dose build-up (up to 16 weeks)11.3 mga/L
p-value: 0.003Regression, Linear

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026