Scientists from Stanford School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins University found that regular use of the drug called Omalizumab (an antibody that binds to immunoglobulin – IgE) can prevent serious allergic reactions to foods. Research results published In New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).
177 children who were allergic to at least three types of food participated in the study. Approximately 38% of participants were between 1 and 5 years of age, 37% were between 6 and 11 years of age, and 24% were over 12 years of age. Participants’ severe food allergies were confirmed by special tests; volunteers reacted to less than 100 milligrams of peanut protein.
Two-thirds of participants were assigned to Omalizumab injections. The remaining subjects were given a placebo. Scientists stated that Omalizumab is a specific antibody that binds and deactivates any type of immunoglobin E or IgE. This is a group of blood plasma proteins responsible for triggering allergic reactions.
After 16 weeks of experimental treatment, scientists confirmed that Omalizumab was able to relieve allergy to more than one type of food simultaneously. This was evidenced by 66.9% of subjects being able to safely consume 600 mg of peanut protein. This amount is found in approximately two to three hazelnuts. A similar percentage of participants showed improvement in food reactions to other allergenic foods.
Scientists noted that the drug could be especially useful for young children who have severe food allergies and tend to put any food or object that interests them into their mouths.
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Source: Gazeta
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