Early lab trials using a new research-based treatment for the prevention of peanut allergy are showing the potential for it to be an effective preventative for peanut-specific allergic responses.
The new treatment, referred to as ‘Covalent heterobivalent inhibitor’ (cHBI), works by targeting and binding to peanut allergens in a specific manner, preventing the binding of allergens to IgE and the subsequent activation of mast cells, which are responsible for the symptoms of peanut allergy.
To test the effectiveness of cHBI, researchers developed a humanized mouse model. The mice were sensitized with patient derived IgE antibodies specific to peanut allergens and displayed robust anaphylactic reactions. The results showed that cHBI treatment prevented allergic reactions in the mice for over two weeks and provided protection even when administered shortly after the onset of food allergy symptoms.
These findings suggest that cHBI has the potential to be an effective preventive and treatment option for people with peanut allergy. However, more research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of cHBI in humans ahead of any approval for clinical use.
Reference: Alakhras, N.S., et al. (2023) Peanut allergen inhibition prevents anaphylaxis in a humanized mouse model. Science Translational Medicine. DOI:10.1126/scitranslmed.add6373.
