Breakthrough Drug Xolair Proven Effective in Preventing Food Allergies
A study published on Sunday revealed that Xolair, a drug already known for its efficacy in treating asthma, is effective in preventing allergies associated with various foods.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved this treatment on February 16 for this specific use in adults and children over one year of age, as food allergies continue to rise in the country.
Patients participating in the study, all children suffering from allergies, experienced a significant increase in their tolerance to food products such as peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, and wheat, according to the New England Journal of Medicine.
These results indicate that such treatment “can significantly reduce the occurrence of allergic reactions to many foods in case of accidental exposure,” stated Robert Wood, the study’s lead author, in a press release by Roche.
Omalizumab, the scientific name for Xolair, is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the action of antibodies causing allergies.
At the end of a regular injection period spanning 16 to 20 weeks, 67% of patients who received omalizumab tolerated a dose of 600 mg of peanuts, for instance, compared to only 7% of patients who received a placebo.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Health, the study involved approximately 177 children aged between one and 17 years. While these results are promising, they should not suggest that beneficiaries can resume consuming allergenic substances, as emphasized by the FDA. The aim is solely to reduce the reaction in case of accidental ingestion.
Xolair is deemed safe, with the main side effects associated with it being fever and reactions at the injection site.
This discovery marks a significant advancement in the treatment and management of food allergies, offering hope to millions affected by this condition.
