In the relentless pursuit of effective peanut allergy management, the REALISE study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in 2022 emerged as a beacon of insight into the safety and tolerability of VP250. An immunotherapeutic agent containing 250μg of peanut protein, Viaskin Peanut 250 μg - VP250, seeks to desensitize those with peanut allergies through peanut protein exposure. VP250 takes a stab at approaching peanut allergy, holding potential grand benefits for those whose quality of life is affected by fear of exposure to allergens.
Read more about another immunotherapy agent working on addressing peanut allergies here: Allergy Desensitization
The REALISE clinical trial aimed to assess the safety and tolerability of EPIT (epicutaneous immunotherapy) with VVP250 in peanut-allergic children over six months. A total of 393 participants were studied, and the study population was characterized by high peanut allergy severity, with three-quarters having a history of peanut anaphylaxis.
Participant disposition showed a high completion rate of 97.5%, with 2.5% withdrawal, mostly from the VP250 arm due to adverse events (AEs). Most participants experienced at least one treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE), most of which were mild or moderate. Severe TEAEs were low (1.3%), with a similar incidence between VP250 and placebo. Notably, no participants withdrew due to poor adherence to treatment, and mean adherence was high overall (98.2%).
Local skin reactions were common but primarily mild to moderate, and the severity declined over time. The study concluded that EPIT with VP250 is safe, well-tolerated, and associated with high adherence in peanut-allergic children. The findings support its use as an immunotherapeutic agent for peanut allergy management. Longer-term safety data from ongoing studies will provide additional insights.
Peanut allergies imply lifelong effects and constant fear of potential ingestion or allergic reactions. VP250 can mitigate this risk and help those living with allergies. The science behind VP250 can be translated into other types of allergies as well, beyond just peanuts, potentially revolutionizing immunology and allergy medicine.
Sources: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
