Scientists Discover Toothpaste That Prevents Peanut Allergy
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Scientists are exploring a groundbreaking toothpaste designed to mitigate severe reactions in individuals with peanut allergies. The experimental therapy has shown promising results in its initial human clinical trials conducted by researchers from the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI).
Oral Immunotherapy Inspiration
The researchers developed a toothpaste based on the established concept of oral immunotherapy, where individuals receive minimal doses of peanuts over an extended period to desensitize their immune systems.
This toothpaste delivers small amounts of allergenic peanut proteins directly to the mouth during regular brushing.
Rigorous Clinical Trial
In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 32 adults with peanut allergies participated in a 48-week study. Participants received either an escalating dose of peanut toothpaste or a placebo.
The team utilized food and blood tests to analyze exploratory biomarkers, gauging the participants’ immune system responses to the treatment.
Safety and Tolerance
The primary objective of a phase I clinical trial is to assess the treatment’s safety. The toothpaste passed this test admirably, demonstrating excellent tolerance with only mild, mostly local side effects such as oral itching. Remarkably, 100 percent adherence to the treatment plan was observed, suggesting its potential ease and convenience for widespread use.
Dr. William Berger, an ACAAI member and the study’s author, emphasized the positive outcomes: “100 percent of those being treated with the toothpaste consistently tolerated the pre-specified protocol highest dose.” No moderate or severe systemic reactions occurred, and there was a high adherence rate (97 percent) with no dropouts due to study medication.
Prevalence of Peanut Allergy
Peanut allergy affects 1 to 2 percent of the US population, with a notable increase in recent decades. Children are particularly vulnerable, although up to 20 percent may eventually outgrow the allergy. The immune system’s overreaction to peanut proteins can lead to symptoms ranging from mild to severe, including anaphylaxis.
Encouraged by the clinical trial’s success, the researchers aim to extend their investigation to pediatric populations. Dr. Berger said, “The results support the continued development of this toothpaste in the pediatric population.” This groundbreaking work was presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) conference.
Read the original article on IFL Science.
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