New therapy shows promise in helping allergic toddlers tolerate peanuts safely.
A novel skin patch therapy could become a game-changer for toddlers with severe peanut allergies, showing potential to train their bodies to handle accidental exposure safely.
Peanut allergies, among the most dangerous and common food allergies, leave families of allergic children in constant vigilance against triggers that could lead to severe or even life-threatening reactions. Currently, no cure exists, and available treatments are limited to older children consuming controlled doses of peanut powder.
The Viaskin patch, developed by DBV Technologies, seeks to deliver a similar desensitisation therapy through the skin. In a major study involving toddlers aged 1 to 3, the patch enabled children previously unable to tolerate even trace amounts of peanut protein to safely ingest small quantities after a year of use.
“This could address a significant unmet need,” said Dr. Matthew Greenhawt, an allergist at Children’s Hospital Colorado and a co-lead researcher on the study.
The patch works by delivering small doses of peanut protein through the skin. It’s worn daily on the upper back, out of reach of curious toddlers. In a trial of 362 participants, about two-thirds of those using the Viaskin patch were able to tolerate the equivalent of three to four peanuts after 12 months, compared to a third of children using placebo patches.
Despite its promise, the treatment isn’t without risks. Four participants experienced severe allergic reactions, including three who required epinephrine. Skin irritation at the patch site was the most common side effect.
Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the study has been hailed as a significant step forward. “These results offer hope for families navigating the challenges of peanut allergies,” wrote Dr. Alkis Togias of the National Institutes of Health in an editorial accompanying the research.
Experts caution, however, that oral and skin-based therapies might serve different roles, with oral treatments potentially offering stronger desensitisation but at a higher risk of side effects. Further research is needed to compare their long-term efficacy and safety.
DBV Technologies has faced challenges in bringing the patch to market. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently requested additional safety data for toddlers, and a separate long-term study is underway. Trials are also being conducted for children aged 4 to 7.
