A study published in JAMA Pediatrics suggests that omalizumab, a drug primarily used to treat asthma, could offer a significant breakthrough for children suffering from severe food allergies. Researchers found that the drug helped a substantial portion of young patients safely consume trigger foods, including accidental exposures and even full portions, a feat not typically achievable with standard treatments.
The research, conducted by Stanford Medicine and involving 117 participants with an average age of seven, focused on children with allergies to peanuts and at least two other foods like milk, eggs, wheat, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts. The study tested omalizumab's efficacy over a year, with participants receiving injections either fortnightly or monthly.
Results indicated that over a third of children treated with omalizumab were able to tolerate 4 grams, approximately a teaspoon, or more of three trigger foods by the end of the treatment. This contrasts with less than 20% of those undergoing standard oral immunotherapy, a treatment that gradually exposes patients to small amounts of allergens to build tolerance.
Furthermore, omalizumab treatment enabled over 70% of participants to tolerate accidental exposures to allergens, a critical improvement for preventing reactions from cross-contamination. In comparison, only 40% of those on standard immunotherapy could safely consume similar accidental amounts.
The study also highlighted a dramatic reduction in severe allergic reactions. A concerning 27% of participants in the standard treatment group experienced anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that can cause swelling of the throat and tongue, airway blockage, loss of consciousness, and cardiac arrest. This figure dropped to just 2% for those treated with omalizumab. Additionally, none of the omalizumab group suffered serious adverse reactions requiring immediate medical attention, compared to over 30% in the standard treatment group.
"This study is very encouraging because it shows that we have treatment choices for our patients that are safe and not too burdensome," the researchers concluded. They did, however, note that the significant difference in effectiveness might be influenced by a high dropout rate in the immunotherapy group.
While omalizumab is currently approved in the U.S. for preventing allergic reactions, its approval status for this specific use is pending in the UK. The drug functions by binding to and deactivating allergy-causing molecules in the bloodstream and on immune cells.
This development comes at a time when food allergies are on the rise globally, affecting an estimated 220 million people. In the UK, the number of individuals with food allergies doubled between 2008 and 2018, with around two million people affected. Approximately a quarter of these individuals go on to develop anaphylaxis.
The news also follows challenges with existing treatments, such as the upcoming discontinuation of Palforzia, a drug designed to reduce the risk of fatal reactions in young people with peanut allergies. The manufacturer advised in January 2026 that new patients should not begin treatment after April 1.