A recent study conducted by the University of British Columbia has shed light on a new, safer approach to overcoming food allergies for high-risk older children and adolescents who cannot undergo oral immunotherapy due to the risk of severe reactions. The research, led by UBC clinical professor and pediatric allergist Dr. Edmond Chan, focuses on sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), a method that involves administering small amounts of food allergens under the tongue.
Dr. Chan and his team at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute found SLIT to be as safe and effective for older children and adolescents with multiple food allergies as oral immunotherapy is for preschoolers. This is especially significant for patients who are typically denied oral immunotherapy due to the perceived risks involved.
The study involved approximately 180 patients between the ages of four and 18 with multiple food allergies, most of whom were at a high risk of severe reactions. The SLIT protocol, which was initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic, required patients to have virtually supervised appointments 3-5 times over several months to gradually build up tolerance to small doses of allergens under the tongue.
Unlike oral immunotherapy, which involves ingesting higher doses of allergens in a clinical setting, SLIT allows patients to administer the treatment at home with guidance from healthcare professionals. Patients took these doses daily for 1-2 years, gradually building up their tolerance to allergens.
The results of the study were promising, with none of the patients experiencing severe reactions during the build-up or maintenance phases of SLIT. Seventy percent of patients tested at the end of the protocol were able to tolerate 300 mg of their allergen, demonstrating a success rate comparable to that of oral immunotherapy.
Dr. Chan emphasized the importance of considering SLIT as an alternative treatment for patients who are not suitable candidates for oral immunotherapy. The superior safety profile of SLIT comes at the cost of a longer treatment timeline, but it offers a viable option for patients who require a more cautious approach.
The findings of the study suggest that home-based SLIT build-up is a safe and effective option for high-risk patients with food allergies. By reducing the burden on allergists and freeing up clinic resources, SLIT allows for a more personalized and sustainable approach to treating food allergies in children and adolescents.
In conclusion, sublingual immunotherapy shows promise as a safer and effective treatment path for high-risk children with food allergies, offering a viable alternative to oral immunotherapy for patients who require a more cautious approach. With further research and implementation, SLIT has the potential to revolutionize the management of food allergies in children and adolescents, providing new hope for those at a higher risk of severe reactions.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
