Peanut Allergy
Conditions
Keywords
Autoclaved peanut, Oral immunotherapy, OIT, peanut allergy
Brief summary
Peanut allergy can cause serious and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is an investigational treatment that involves giving small, gradually increasing amounts of peanut protein to help reduce allergic sensitivity. However, OIT may cause allergic reactions during treatment. This Phase II clinical trial will compare two forms of peanut used for oral immunotherapy: standard blanched peanuts and autoclaved peanuts (peanuts heated under high temperature and pressure to modify their proteins). Participants aged 4 to 30 years with confirmed peanut allergy will be randomly assigned to receive one of the two treatments. The study will evaluate safety, tolerability, adherence, and the ability to tolerate a higher amount of peanut protein after 12 months of therapy. The goal is to determine whether autoclaved peanuts provide a safer and better tolerated approach to peanut oral immunotherapy.
Detailed description
Peanut allergy affects approximately 2% of the population and is a leading cause of food-induced anaphylaxis. Although oral immunotherapy (OIT) can increase reaction thresholds in peanut-allergic individuals, treatment-related adverse events remain common. Safer approaches to OIT are needed. Autoclaving peanuts under controlled high-temperature and high-pressure conditions modifies peanut protein structure and reduces IgE binding. In a prior randomized double-blind oral food challenge study conducted by our group, participants tolerated significantly higher cumulative doses of autoclaved peanut compared with blanched peanut, with fewer and less severe reactions. This is a Phase II randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial. Participants aged 4 to 30 years with confirmed IgE-mediated peanut allergy will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive oral immunotherapy with either autoclaved peanuts or blanched peanuts. The escalation phase will involve biweekly in-clinic dose increases until a maintenance dose of 300 mg peanut protein is reached, followed by 12 months of daily maintenance dosing. Double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges will be performed at baseline, after escalation, and at study completion. The primary endpoint is the proportion of participants in each group who tolerate a cumulative dose of 2043 mg peanut protein at the exit food challenge. Secondary endpoints include treatment-related adverse events, epinephrine use, time to maintenance, adherence, and immunologic changes.
Interventions
Autoclaved peanut protein administered orally in gradually increasing doses during escalation phase up to 300 mg, followed by daily 300 mg maintenance dosing for 12 months.
Standard blanched peanut protein administered orally in gradually increasing doses during escalation phase up to 300 mg, followed by daily 300 mg maintenance dosing for 12 months.
Sponsors
Study design
Masking description
Participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive autoclaved or blanched peanuts. Randomization will be handled by a study coordinator not involved in outcome assessments. All other personnel, including clinicians, participants, and caregivers, will remain blinded.
Intervention model description
We propose a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group phase II trial comparing OIT using autoclaved versus blanched peanuts in individuals with confirmed IgE-mediated peanut allergy.
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
* Peanut-allergic subjects between the ages of 4 and 30 years old who satisfy all the following criteria will be included: * A history suggestive of immediate IgE-mediated peanut allergy (more than 2 mild symptoms or more than 1 moderate or severe symptom within 120 minutes of ingestion or contact). * Confirmation of peanut allergy with at least one of the following: * Positive SPT to peanut (wheal equal of more than 3 mm above saline control). * Serum specific IgE equal or more than 0.35 kU/L to peanut or peanut components. * Previous positive oral food challenge to peanut (raw, roasted or blanched) according to EAACI guidelines. * Positive DBPCFC to blanched peanut at screening. * Signed informed consent (parental/legal guardian consent if under 18 years old).
Exclusion criteria
* • Unstable asthma or uncontrolled chronic respiratory disease. * Active infectious or inflammatory conditions. * Non-IgE-mediated or non-immunological adverse reactions to peanuts. * Patients receiving immunosuppressor therapy. * Patients receiving β-blockers (including topical formulations). * Associated diseases contraindicating the use of epinephrine: cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled hypertension. * Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder. * Any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigators, poses excessive risk or interferes with protocol adherence.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Proportion of Participants Tolerating 2043 mg Peanut Protein at Exit Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Food Challenge | At 12 months after initiation of maintenance phase | The primary outcome is the proportion of participants in each group who can tolerate a cumulative dose of 2043 mg of peanut protein (equivalent to 8172 mg crushed peanut or 8 peanuts) during the exit challenge at approximately 12 months |
Countries
Canada