Peanut allergy breakthroughs!

An article about peanut allergies peaked my interest regarding the latest advancements in treatment for peanut and food related allergies, and of course, I had to know more.  The article, “Peanut Proof”, Scientific American Magazine, September 2025 by Maryn McKenna, presents a clear and intimate look at people with the allergy, introduces the newest treatments, and discusses prevention in ways new to me.  It’s recommended reading – see it here:  New Treatments Can Free Kids from the Deadly Threat of Peanut Allergy | Scientific American

In the past, those with peanut allergies had few weapons against the potentially severe inflammation response that often characterizes this allergy. The basic strategy was simply avoidance.  This is all changing.  I’ll be outlining some of the latest treatment strategies as well as a new trial that may someday lead to the realization of what we’ve all been waiting for; an end to the peanut threat!

In 2018 a new approach to oral immunotherapy was successfully trialed and resulted in the first ever FDA approved treatment for peanut allergies.  Called Palforzia, the drug itself was a powdered form of peanut protein that could be administered in doses small enough not to provoke a serious reaction.  The repeated administration of these very small doses gradually desensitizes the allergy sufferer to the dosage amount, at which point, the dosage is slightly increased (called up-dosing).   Palforzia is made in 11 different strengths which constitute the course of treatment.  After completing a full course of Palforzia, severe allergy reaction can become very mild or may not occur at all.

That being said, Palforzia isn’t always successful or well tolerated.  Per the company’s own website (www.palforzia.com/understanding-peanut-allergy/) there may be side-effects which preclude the delivery of a full course of the treatment, and there may be potentially very serious reactions at any point in the treatment which require immediate medical attention.  To learn more about Palforzia visit their website: Understanding Peanut Allergy in Children | PALFORZIA®  

The next big jump in peanut allergy treatment came in 2024 with the FDA approval of Xolair (omalizumab) for peanut allergy sufferers.  Xolair, a monoclonal antibody that had already been approved for the treatment of severe asthma, works to reduce allergic inflammation by binding to the IgE (Immunoglobulin E) antibodies, drastically reducing the release histamines and other IgE related factors, helping to stem severe allergic reaction. The trial of Xolair for food allergies was a large one, involving 165 children from 1 to 17 years of age and lasting 16 to 20 weeks.  Children received treatment (by injection) every 2 to 4 weeks.  At the end of the study, a full 65% could eat 4 to 5 peanuts without experiencing moderate to severe allergic symptoms. Read more about the Xolair study here:

Clinical Trials | XOLAIR® (omalizumab) for Food Allergy

The most recent research involves 2 drugs, dupilumab (also known as Dupixent) and linvoseltamab and is currently in the very early stages of trial. According to researchers and early trial results, this drug combo potentially delivers a one-two punch to the cells producing IgE that may be powerful enough to completely remove the allergic antibody from the allergy sufferer (see “Peanut Proof” Scientific American Magazine, September 2025 author Maryn McKenna).  This will be an interesting trial to follow – here is the link to Regeneron's study:  Clinical Trial: NCT06369467

January 9, 2026