this study evaluates whether tolerance to peanuts and tree nuts can be induced in patients through a process of oral immunotherapy. Participants will be randomized into groups receiving oral immunotherapy and a control group that will receive no intervention
The investigators are proposing to initiate a study assessing a common desensitization protocol for peanut/tree nut allergy. This study would enable the investigators to better determine the potential benefit of desensitization in individuals with peanut/tree nut allergy. More specifically, the investigators will address the following research objectives: Objectives A. To develop a protocols for peanut/tree nut desensitization with high (300mg) and low (30mg maintenance dose). B. To determine the rate of desensitization to peanut/tree nut. C. To characterize predictors of successful desensitization. D. To characterize molecular mechanisms involved in the process of desensitization These objectives will be evaluated through a randomized controlled trial
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
51
Starting from a very low level and over a period of several months, participants receive escalating doses of the food to which they are allergic
Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Montreal Children's Hospital
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Efficacy of desensitization in peanut/tree nut allergic patients as measured by blinded, placebo controlled oral food challenge
Comparison of participants randomized to treatments arms who achieve peanut/tree nut desensitization compared to participants randomized to the control groups. This is measured by whether a participant is able to tolerate a total dose of 4172 mg crushed peanut or tree nut during an oral food challenge
Time frame: 21 months
Comparison of efficacy of 30 mg dose versus 300 mg dose in inducing desensitization to peanut or tree nut as measured by blinded, placebo controlled oral food challenge
Participants in the 30 mg arm will be compared to those in the 300 mg in terms of dose tolerated at post-immunotherapy blinded, placebo-controlled oral food challenge, as well as side effects experienced during immunotherapy
Time frame: 21 months
Change from baseline over the immunotherapy process of peanut or tree nut (as appropriate) specigic IgE levels
Measurement of peanut or tree nut (as appropriate) specific IgE before, during and after the desensitization process
Time frame: 21 months
Change from baseline over the immunotherapy process of peanut or tree nut (as appropriate) specigic IgA levels
Measurement of peanut or tree nut (as appropriate) specific IgA before, during and after the desensitization process
Time frame: 21 months
Change from baseline over the immunotherapy process of peanut or tree nut (as appropriate) specigic IgG4 levels
Measurement of peanut or tree nut (as appropriate) specific IgG4 before, during and after the desensitization process
Time frame: 21 months
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Change from baseline over the immunotherapy process of mast cell activation as measured by CD63 expression
Measurement of mast cell activation as measured by CD63 expression before, during and after the desensitization process
Time frame: 21 months
Change from baseline over the immunotherapy process of of DNA methylation levels
Measurement of DNA methylation levels before, during and after the desensitization process
Time frame: 21 months
Change from baseline over the immunotherapy process of Regulatory T cell levels
Measurement of Regulatory T cell levels, before, during and after the desensitization process
Time frame: 21 months