Is immunotherapy the answer to peanut allergy purgatory?

Peanut allergy can be deadly, and evidence shows that it affects nearly 2% of people in some Western countries. While the standard treatment for peanut allergy is to avoid exposure, oral immunotherapy is a heavily debated treatment option. An editorial published today by Wiley in Clinical & Experimental Allergy reviews the literature for peanut oral immunotherapy, specifically examining the effectiveness of Palforzia, the first licensed peanut allergy treatment.

"Trusted evidence in allergy is sought by clinicians and care givers alike, making it more important than ever to showcase perspectives that are free from commercial influence," said Dr. Robert J. Boyle, Editor of Clinical & Experimental Allergy. In his editorial, Dr. Michael R. Perkin from the Population Health Research Institute at St George's University of London, offers an independent perspective of Palforzia in treating allergy to peanuts.

Dr. Perkin questions if Palforzia is even necessary, calling for "thorough discussions related to peanut immunotherapy issues such as adverse events requiring adrenaline auto injectors, episodes of life-threatening anaphylaxis and potential long-term side effects."