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Viaskin Peanut reduces sensitivity in majority of young patients with peanut allergy

More than half of the young patients with peanut allergy treated with 250 µg of Viaskin Peanut tolerated an increased eliciting dose of peanut protein, according to phase 3 trial results presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting.

Researchers randomly assigned 356 patients aged 4 to 11 years in a 2:1 ratio to receive either 250 µg of Viaskin Peanut or placebo daily for 12 months. All had an objective reaction to 300 mg or less of peanut protein during a baseline food challenge.

Researchers found that after the 12 months, 62.6% of the patients who received Viaskin Peanut experienced an increased eliciting dose vs. 28% of those who received placebo.

In addition, the odds of an improving eliciting dose from baseline to month 12 were 4.3-times more likely in those who received Viaskin Peanut, and the odds of worsening eliciting dose from baseline to month 12 in placebo group were 7.2-times that of those whom received Viaskin Peanut.

Researchers also found that 6.7% of patients receiving Viaskin Peanut reacted to lower amount of peanut protein at the challenge’s end vs. 33.9% that received placebo.

“These new results from the PEPITES study, which investigated a potential first-in-class peanut desensitization therapy with the epicutaneous patch system, show that most patients treated with Viaskin Peanut are seeing an improvement in peanut reactivity after just the first year of treatment,” Carla Davis, MD, the Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology section chief at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, said in a press release.

“This is an exciting time for the peanut allergy community as Viaskin Peanut continues to move toward a potential approval,” she added. – by Janel Miller

Reference:

Green T, et al. Increased reactivity threshold in peanut-allergic subjects treated with 12 months of epicutaneous Viaskin peanut. Presented at: American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting; Nov. 15-19, 2018; Seattle.

Disclosures: Please see the meeting’s abstract book for the authors’ relevant financial disclosures.