Recent advances in the diagnosis and therapy of peanut allergy

Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2013 Jun;9(6):551-60. doi: 10.1586/eci.13.33.

Abstract

Peanut allergy is a life-threatening, IgE-mediated allergic disease. In developed countries, the prevalence rate of peanut allergy in school-aged children is reported to be in excess of 1% and continues to rise, representing a major public health concern. Peanut allergy is diagnosed on the basis of a relevant clinical history combined with results of skin-prick testing and/or peanut-specific IgE levels. A double-blind placebo-controlled oral food challenge is the gold standard for diagnosis. Currently, there is no approved treatment or disease-modifying therapy for peanut allergy. This review discusses recent advances in molecular diagnostic techniques for peanut allergy and highlights advances in peanut allergy therapeutics, discussing allergen-specific and allergen-nonspecific treatments that are currently in Phase I/II clinical trials.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
  • Peanut Hypersensitivity / diagnosis*
  • Peanut Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Peanut Hypersensitivity / pathology
  • Peanut Hypersensitivity / therapy*
  • Skin Tests

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin E