Omalizumab facilitates rapid oral desensitization for peanut allergy

Andrew J. MacGinnitie, Rima Rachid, Hana Gragg, Sara V. Little, Paul Lakin, Antonella Cianferoni, Jennifer Heimall, Melanie Makhija, Rachel Robison, R. Sharon Chinthrajah, John Lee, Jennifer Lebovidge, Tina Dominguez, Courtney Rooney, Megan Ott Lewis, Jennifer Koss, Elizabeth Burke-Roberts, Kimberly Chin, Tanya Logvinenko, Jacqueline A. PongracicDale T. Umetsu, Jonathan Spergel, Kari C. Nadeau, Lynda C. Schneider*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

232 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background Peanut oral immunotherapy is a promising approach to peanut allergy, but reactions are frequent, and some patients cannot be desensitized. The anti-IgE medication omalizumab (Xolair; Genentech, South San Francisco, Calif) might allow more rapid peanut updosing and decrease reactions. Objective We sought to evaluate whether omalizumab facilitated rapid peanut desensitization in highly allergic patients. Methods Thirty-seven subjects were randomized to omalizumab (n = 29) or placebo (n = 8). After 12 weeks of treatment, subjects underwent a rapid 1-day desensitization of up to 250 mg of peanut protein, followed by weekly increases up to 2000 mg. Omalizumab was then discontinued, and subjects continued on 2000 mg of peanut protein. Subjects underwent an open challenge to 4000 mg of peanut protein 12 weeks after stopping study drug. If tolerated, subjects continued on 4000 mg of peanut protein daily. Results The median peanut dose tolerated on the initial desensitization day was 250 mg for omalizumab-treated subjects versus 22.5 mg for placebo-treated subject. Subsequently, 23 (79%) of 29 subjects randomized to omalizumab tolerated 2000 mg of peanut protein 6 weeks after stopping omalizumab versus 1 (12%) of 8 receiving placebo (P <.01). Twenty-three subjects receiving omalizumab versus 1 subject receiving placebo passed the 4000-mg food challenge. Overall reaction rates were not significantly lower in omalizumab-treated versus placebo-treated subjects (odds ratio, 0.57; P =.15), although omalizumab-treated subjects were exposed to much higher peanut doses. Conclusion Omalizumab allows subjects with peanut allergy to be rapidly desensitized over as little as 8 weeks of peanut oral immunotherapy. In the majority of subjects, this desensitization is sustained after omalizumab is discontinued. Additional studies will help clarify which patients would benefit most from this approach.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)873-881.e8
JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume139
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2017

Funding

Keywords

  • Peanut allergy
  • desensitization
  • food allergy
  • omalizumab

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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