Doctors optimistic about new peanut allergy treatment

There could soon be a new treatment option to help millions of people who suffer from peanut allergies.

Dr. Allan Stillerman, a Twin Cities allergist with Allergy & Asthma Specialists and a member of the Clinical Research Institute, says he’s optimistic about this new treatment for peanut allergies - especially among children.

Dr. Stillerman had seven patients enrolled in the large trial, testing a new drug designed to build peanut tolerance over time. He says the drug, however, is not a cure.

“They saw it as an opportunity to make it less likely if mistakes happen, there will be a bad outcome,” said Stillerman. 

Patients suffering from a peanut allergy were given the oral drug containing a daily dose of peanut protein. The goal was to build up a tolerance so a person wouldn’t risk a severe or potentially deadly allergic reaction if accidentally exposed to a peanut. 

Dr. Stillerman and the firm behind the drug believe it’s has great potential. The study found two-thirds of those studied could tolerate consuming two peanuts a day after nine-to-12 months and half could eat up to four peanuts a day.

The next step is a review by the Food and Drug Administration for possible mass market availability sometime next year.

“I’m hopeful in time there will be other measures that researchers are currently investigating that may result in full tolerance to be able to eat this or other food substances,” he said.

Currently, there are there are currently no approved treatments for those patients suffering from peanut allergies.