Moving Beyond Desensitization to Tolerance in Food Allergy

Abstract

Management of IgE-mediated food allergy is shifting from reactive management strategies (allergen avoidance and ready access to autoinjectable epinephrine in case of exposure) to proactive therapies. These therapies are in various stages of clinical development and implementation; the two main approaches include allergen-specific or active therapies (induce the immune system to produce a protective response to the allergen; eg, Food and Drug Administration–approved AR101/Palforzia (peanut [Arachis hypogaea] Allergen Powder-dnfp; PTAH, also known as AR101) (Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc., Brisbane, CA) for peanut allergy), and allergen-agnostic, passive therapies (provide the body with the tools needed to suppress immediate hypersensitivity reactions in a nonspecific manner; eg, Food and Drug Administration–approved omalizumab). These therapies provide a similar degree of protection, specifically desensitization (increased reaction threshold while receiving food allergy therapy, bite safety), but differ in mechanisms, dosing protocols, and side effects. The goals of therapeutics in development are shifting to sustained unresponsiveness or remission (absence of clinical reactivity after allergen and food allergy therapy avoidance, typically for weeks to months) and tolerance (no clinical reaction or free ingestion of the allergen). As the food allergy management repertoire expands, important considerations in selecting a therapy will be patient-specific and include mode of delivery, dosing regimens, side-effect profiles, and goals or outcomes. The role of shared decision making and implementation strategies to support equitable access across patient populations and clinical contexts will be critical to move an increasing number of patients beyond desensitization to tolerance, if they wish.