Treatment of Food Allergy: Immunotherapy, Omalizumab, or Both

Abstract

Food allergy is a common disease that has substantial impacts on the quality of life of patients and their families, and all reactions have the potential for causing life-threatening anaphylaxis. Food-allergic individuals currently have 2 Food and Drug Administration– approved therapeutic options available to them aside from life-long allergen avoidance: oral immunotherapy (OIT) and omalizumab. OIT for food allergy has been extensively studied in clinical trials and currently provides the greatest level of protection; however, it also has a high burden of treatment. Studies suggest that more successful OIT outcomes may be attained with earlier intervention; however, early OIT presents its own challenges. Omalizumab, recently Food and Drug Administration–approved, is a biologic targeting IgE, a major driver of allergic reactions. In contrast to OIT, omalizumab monotherapy offers a low treatment burden therapeutic option that provides a safety net against reactions to accidental ingestion of multiple allergens. In addition, omalizumab has been investigated as an adjunct to OIT, improving the speed and safety of single-allergen or multiallergen OIT. Here, we discuss the clinical use of these therapeutic options and provide a guide for shared decision making between patients and physicians about what therapeutic option might be more appropriate.