Understanding the Immune System's Role in Tree Nut and Peanut Allergies: Key Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Treatment Monitoring and Treatment Targets

Launched by LUXEMBOURG INSTITUTE OF HEALTH · Aug 12, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on understanding how the immune system responds to tree nut and peanut allergies, particularly in children. Researchers are studying blood samples from participants who have nut allergies to find specific immune markers that could help doctors understand how effective treatments, like oral immunotherapy (OIT), are working. OIT involves gradually introducing small amounts of the allergenic food to help patients build tolerance, and the study aims to identify immune changes that could indicate a successful treatment outcome. Additionally, the trial will compare allergic participants undergoing OIT with those who are avoiding nuts entirely, as well as with healthy adults who have no nut allergies.

To participate in this study, individuals must be at least 2 years old and have a confirmed allergy to peanuts or tree nuts. Participants will be required to sign an informed consent form and may undergo oral food challenges to monitor their reactions. However, those with certain health conditions or who are pregnant will not be eligible. This research is important because it could lead to better, personalized treatment options for those living with nut allergies and improve overall safety and quality of life.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • For Peanut and Tree nut Allergic participants
• Inclusion criteria:
• • More than 2 years
• • Male or Female
• • Allergic to peanut (assessed by anamnesis, skin reactivity testing, sera testing for specific IgE)
• • Sign an Informed Consent
• Exclusion criteria:
• • Pregnancy
• • Less than 2 years of age
• • Co-existing chronic medical condition such as cardiovascular disorders
• • Peanut or tree nut-allergic patients/families who are unwilling to undergo oral food challenges
• • The eligible participants will be assigned to the oral immunotherapy (OIT) group but if they are not eligible for OIT based on either on the reasons mentioned below, they will be assigned to the avoidance group.
• Reasons for ineligibility of OIT :
• • risk of poor compliance with immunotherapy
• • lack of understanding of the OIT protocol
• • uncontrolled asthma
• • incompatibility with lifestyle (regular intense physical activities, multiple vacations)
• • unwilling to undergo OIT
• • long-term or frequent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• • multiple nut allergy with no direct clinical benefit of OIT to one nut
• • co-existing comorbidities such as active systemic autoimmune diseases, active malignancy, eosinophilic esophagitis.
• • For Healthy Controls
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adults
• • Male or Female
• • Sign an Informed Consent
• • Tolerates any type of nut
• • No known food allergy
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Pregnancy
• • Co-existing chronic medical condition such as cardiovascular disorders