Latest news with #peanutallergy
Associated Press
28-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Intrommune Therapeutics Announces Independent Editorial Highlighting Breakthrough Safety Data for Novel Toothpaste Peanut Allergy Treatment
NEW YORK, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the burden of food allergies continues to increase each year, the need for safe, effective, and convenient treatments has never been greater. Over 33 million Americans suffer from food allergies, including nearly 6 million children. Approximately 2% of the population suffers from peanut allergy, which is known to be one of the most prevalent, persistent and severe food allergies. With its poor spontaneous resolution, peanut allergy persists in up to 80% of cases and significantly impacts the quality of life of sufferers and their families. With no known cure, the cornerstone of management relies on strict avoidance and rescue medications, often leaving patients and their families in near constant fear of accidental exposures and severe reactions. Intrommune Therapeutics welcomes an independent editorial that was recently published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology which underscores the potential of its innovative Oral Mucosal Immunotherapy (OMIT) platform to transform peanut allergy treatment. The editorial, entitled ' Can daily teeth brushing help treat your peanut allergy, ' authored by leading allergists, Dr. Aikaterini Anagnostou and Dr. David Stukus, discusses the key findings of the OMEGA (Oral Mucosal Escalation Goal Assessment) trial, a randomized, double blind placebo-controlled Phase 1 study, evaluating the safety of its investigational treatment, OMIT with INT301 (peanut protein) in peanut allergic adults. The authors acknowledge that the candidate therapy met all its primary and secondary endpoints, achieving exceptional safety and tolerability, with no moderate or severe systemic reactions or anaphylaxis reported in treated participants. Mild systemic reactions that did occur were reported less frequently in treated (4.2%) compared to control (25%) participants. Additionally, treated participants demonstrated robust adherence to the investigational treatment protocol, adhering to OMIT with INT301 97% of study days. The authors also alluded to an interesting finding on the potential immunomodulatory effects of OMIT with INT301, specifically, the statistically significant increase in peanut-specific IgG4 levels, which they referenced as providing preliminary evidence of its ' desensitization effects' in treated participants. Stukus and Anagnostou went on to address the potential benefits of OMIT with INT301 over existing immunotherapies, oral immunotherapy (OIT) and epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT), including ' lower risk of anaphylaxis and fewer limitations in daily life in terms of activity restrictions,' and remarked that ' OMIT represents an exciting future option.'' Recognizing the potential of OMIT with INT301, the authors stress that expanded studies in pediatric populations and longer-term efficacy evaluation data are highly warranted. This aligns with the company's intent to advance to a Phase 2/3 trial in pediatric patients to evaluate both the safety and efficacy of OMIT with INT301. According to Berger et al., in the April 2025 edition of the Annal of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, 'evaluating OMIT in children is critically important, given that childhood may represent the most opportune time to induce a durable immunologic response and, potentially, clinical remission of peanut allergy.' In their concluding commentary, Drs. Anagnostou and Stukus stress the need for personalized, patient-centered care, including diverse options in food allergy management, for which OMIT may provide a unique alternative. In response to the editorial, Michael Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of Intrommune commented, 'We are encouraged by the interest in our innovative oral mucosal immunotherapy platform and this independent review underscores the scientific validity of the OMEGA results. If proven efficacious, OMIT's safety and simplicity could revolutionize how families manage food allergies.' About Intrommune Therapeutics Intrommune Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to developing safe, effective and easy-to-use food exposure products for the prevention and treatment of food allergies. Its OMIT platform leverages the oral mucosa's immunologic properties to deliver targeted immunomodulation via a fully-functional toothpaste. Intrommune Contact: Nicole Faris (MSc.) Strategic Director, Medical Affairs & Clinical Development Intrommune Therapeutics [email protected] (555) 123-4567 Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Warning as 'healthy' 20 year-old is killed by vegetarian ready meal: 'Within 10 minutes she was struggling to breathe'
A grieving mother has warned parents of children with allergies to always be prepared for a deadly reaction—after her 'beautiful' daughter died days after eating a contaminated ready meal. Jess North, 20, from West Sussex, died on 14 May 2021, five days after suffering a lethal reaction to peanuts that were in a ready meal that she had safely eaten before without problems. Within 10 minutes of consuming 'a few mouthfuls' of the sweet potato dish, and having left the house to visit friends, Jess called her mother to tell her she was having difficulty breathing. She attempted to use her Epipen—an autoinjector of adrenaline that relieves extreme allergic reactions—the dose was too low to achieve the desired effect. The keen athlete had never had to use the emergency treatment before, which meant her prescription had not been updated since she was a child, when the required amount was far lower. Despite efforts to attempt to save her by doctors at St Richards hospital in Chichester, she died five days later after scans showed no brain activity. Now her mother Maxine, 59, has vowed to raise awareness of the dangers of severe allergies, and will be attempting physical challenges to generate funds for The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. Recalling the day of the fatal reaction, when her world 'fell apart', she told The Argus: 'I was 20 minutes from dishing up the Sunday roast when Jess decided that she didn't want the meat that was on the menu. 'The kitchen was a hive of activity, so I asked her to look in the freezer to see if there was something that she could have in its place. 'She pulled out a pre-made shop bought sweet potato dish saying that she had it before.' While she was aware the meal could contain peanuts, she'd eaten it previously without suffering a reaction, leading her to believe she'd be safe. 'Once seated for dinner Jess took a couple of mouthfuls of the sweet potato and said she didn't like it, pushed it to one side and ate the vegetables,' Maxine added. Then she went upstairs, gathered her things and jumped in the car to make the short drive to meet a friend. Within 10 minutes, Jess called her mother to say she was struggling to breathe—leading Maxine to be immediately convinced that she was having an allergic reaction. 'She was near Arundel on the A27, so I told her to pull over and administer her EpiPen', Maxine said. Maxine also told Jess to call 999 as soon as she had administered the EpiPen, in line with NHS guidelines. By the time her parents got there, paramedics were already at the scene. Maxine continued: 'I have no recollection of how my husband and I got [to Jess]. It's a complete blur.' Jess was then rushed to St Richards hospital in Chichester as the paramedics fought to keep her alive after she stopped breathing twice on route. 'We had to wait for what seemed like an eternity while they stabilised Jess,' Maxine said. Jess was on life-support for three days before her doctors felt she was strong enough to undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the damage to her brain. A life-threatening allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, occurs when the immune system mistakenly overreacts and releases a flood of chemicals that send the body into shock, stopping patients from breathing. As well as rapid organ failure, this can restrict oxygen to the brain, resulting in lethal brain damage. Other common symptoms of anaphylaxis include swelling of the throat and tongue, difficulty swallowing, coughing, feeling tired, feeling faint or fainting and blue, grey or pale skin. Maxine said: 'Doctors couldn't reassure us as to the damage t had been done until she woke up'. The next morning, doctors started to take Jess off of medication, hoping that she would wake up so that they could run further tests. But Jess didn't show any signs of consciousness. The medical team carried out another MRI which revealed that there was no brain activity. Jess' parents were then informed by doctors that there was nothing else they could do to help. 'I can't remember much from that point,' said Maxine. 'All I knew was my beautiful baby had gone and our life had changed forever.' Remarkably, Jess had never had a severe allergic reaction before this point. 'It is always a worry, any allergy parent will tell you that,' said Maxine. 'But it didn't define us. 'We would always ask for an allergen list and would be extremely careful, but we still lived. We went away to places like Thailand, and it was okay'. Now, Maxine is urging GP practices to start sending reminder alerts to patients with severe allergies to check their EpiPens are the correct dosage. Jess' tragic death comes amid a new dawn in the treatment of childhood allergies. Earlier this year, experts at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London announced the promising results of a life-changing trial that saw 14 of 21 people with peanut allergy able to eat peanuts every day without a reaction. The desensitising process—known as oral immunotherapy—works by getting sufferers to consume microscopic amounts of peanuts, gradually increasing their dosage to build up immunity. Chief Investigator Professor Stephen Till, Professor of Allergy at King's College London, said: 'Constant fear of life-threatening reactions place a huge burden on people with peanut allergy. 'Although peanut immunotherapy is known to be effective in children, this trial provides preliminary evidence that adults can also be desensitised and that this improves quality of life.' About one in every 200 adults in the UK—0.5 per cent—has a nut allergy. Experts estimate that 10 Brits die from an allergic reaction to food each year, with 5,000 people hospitalised for severe reactions. Children with allergies are considered to be especially at risk from severe reactions as, due to their smaller body size, small amounts of allergens provoke bigger reactions.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Mum's warning after daughter, 20, with severe peanut allergy died from eating a ‘couple of mouthfuls' of ready meal
A HEARTBROKEN mum has issued an urgent warning after her daughter, 20, died after eating a few mouthfuls of a ready meal. Jess North, who had a severe peanut allergy, tragically died from an anaphylactic reaction on May 9, 2021. 5 5 5 Devastated Mum Maxine, from Aldingbourne, West Sussex, told how she was preparing a Sunday roast when Jess decided she wanted something different. The youngster opted for a frozen sweet potato dish and said she had "had it before". Jess assumed she would be fine eating the ready meal, as she had done previously, despite the fact it did contain nuts. Maxine told The Argus her daughter had only consumed "a couple of mouthfuls" before ditching her plate. She was going out to meet a pal and kissed her parents goodbye before jumping in her car. "Within 10 minutes I received a phone call from Jess saying that she was having difficulty breathing," said Maxine. "The fear in her voice triggered something inside me and I knew that she was having an allergic reaction. "She was near Arundel on the A27, so I told her to pull over and administer her EpiPen, something she had never done before, but she knew how to use it. " The emotional parent told how she rushed with her husband to find their daughter. Meanwhile a passerby had seen Jess struggling at the roadside and thought she was having an asthma attack. My son texted me a picture of a snack he was enjoying… then his phone went silent – he'll never be the same again They gave her an inhaler before realising the 20-year-old was signalling for her EpiPen. "She was disoriented so the person took charge of the EpiPen and administered it into Jess' arm when in fact it should have gone into her thigh," continued Maxine. Paramedics eventually transported Jess to St Richards hospital in Chichester. After three days on life support, an MRI scan was performed and doctors told her family they wouldn't be able to assess damage until she woke up. The signs of an allergic reaction and anaphylaxis + what to do SYMPTOMS of an allergy usually occur within minutes of contact with with the offending food or trigger, but they can also come on up to one hour later. Most allergic reactions are mild but they can also be moderate or severe. Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction which can be life threatening. In some cases, anaphylaxis symptoms lead to collapse and unconsciousness and, on rare occasions, can be fatal so it's important to know how to recognise them and act quickly. Mild to moderate symptoms include: Itchy mouth, tongue and throat Swelling of lips, around the eyes or face Red raised itchy rash (often called nettle rash, hives or urticaria) Vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea Runny nose and sneezing Severe symptoms of anaphylaxis include: Swelling of your throat and tongue Difficulty breathing or breathing very fast Difficulty swallowing, tightness in your throat or a hoarse voice Wheezing, coughing or noisy breathing Feeling tired or confused Feeling faint, dizzy or fainting Skin that feels cold to the touch Blue, grey or pale skin, lips or tongue – if you have brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet Anaphylaxis and its symptoms should be treated as a medical emergency. Follow these steps if you think you or someone you're with is having an anaphylactic reaction: Use an adrenaline auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) if you have one – instructions are included on the side of the injector. Call 999 for an ambulance and say that you think you're having an anaphylactic reaction. Lie down – you can raise your legs, and if you're struggling to breathe, raise your shoulders or sit up slowly (if you're pregnant, lie on your left side). If you have been stung by an insect, try to remove the sting if it's still in the skin. If your symptoms have not improved after 5 minutes, use a second adrenaline auto-injector. Do not stand or walk at any time, even if you feel better. Sources: Allergy UK, NHS They tried to bring Jess off life support the following day, but the youngster showed no signs of becoming responsive. A further MRI scan tragically determined there was no brain activity. "I can't remember much from that point, all I knew was my beautiful baby had gone and our life had changed forever," said Maxine. The brave mum has since been on a mission to raise awareness over severe allergies - and in particular the lack of up to date epipens. After Jess' death, the family discovered she had a junior Epipen, instead of an adult one. Maxine's campaign has already seen her own GP start sending reminder alerts to patients with severe allergies. She has also been raising money for The Natasha Allergy Foundation, known as NARFS, which was set up in memory of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse. Natasha, 15, who was allergic to sesame, tragically died in 2016 after eating a Pret a Manger baguette containing the ingredient. Maxine will be completing a charity abseil down Peacehaven Cliffs in July. Donations will be put towards funding for Kitt Medical Devices with life-saving anaphylaxis treatment in schools and public places. A link to Maxine's GoFundMe can be found here. This comes after a traumatised mum told how her allergic son texted a picture of the snack he was enjoying before his phone went silent forever. George Cadman-Ithell sent a haunting message to his mum, Louise Cadman, with a picture of the cured sausages and wrote "these are nice". But just three minutes later, the 25-year-old sent a panicked text which read: "F***, they contain walnuts". Louise replied: "You've not eaten any have you?" to which her son said: "Yes". George hadn't spotted the "aux noix" labelling on the salami packaging, which also stated "with walnuts" in English. The young man had run home from the shops in just under 10 minutes, and husband Joe Nolan had administered an EpiPen. But tragically George went into cardiac arrest and his brain was starved of oxygen for 26 minutes, causing severe brain damage. He remains in a vegetative state at a rehabilitation unit at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, North West London. Elsewhere, a 12-year-old schoolgirl died suddenly after drinking a milkshake and her heartbroken family paid tribute. Mia Shay St Hilaire suffered a severe allergic reaction after visiting Pop Inn Café, in Bermondsey, London, with her aunt and sister in August 2023. The young girl, who had a tree nut allergy, was rushed to hospital after ingesting the contaminated drink but tragically died. Mia's devastated parents, Adrian and Chanel said: "We think of Mia every day and knowing her death could potentially have been prevented so simply, only adds to how heartbroken we are as a family.' Southwark Council's food and safety team discovered the blender used to make the 12-year-old's milkshake had not been cleaned properly. An investigation found traces of almonds and hazelnuts in the machine from a previous drink. CCTV evidence showed the café operator, Baris Yucel, failing to clean the blender before preparing Mia's beverage. He was given a 100-hour community order and fined £18,000. Natasha's Law By Ben Griffiths THE family of an allergy sufferer who died after eating a poorly-labelled Pret sandwich on a BA jet have told how they have forgiven the high street giant. Grieving Nad and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, whose daughter Natasha died in 2016, have even praised the sandwich chain for leading the way in implementing new packaging rules. Natasha's Law - named after the 15-year-old - requires businesses to list every ingredient on pre-packaged food. In an exclusive interview, the family spoke of their "great pride" at getting the historic new regulations in place. They mean an item like the artichoke, olive and tapenade baguette, which Natasha died after eating, will now have to list all 34 ingredients - instead of the THREE it displayed five years ago. Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, Tanya, who with Nad has won an OBE for her work in getting the law passed, said: "I know that Natasha would be ever so pleased this law is coming into force and we've managed to get it passed. "You can't do anything if you are filled with hate so we have forgiven Pret. It doesn't make up for the fact she is not here now but Pret have actually led the way on changing their packaging. "They've spent millions getting their packaging in line and educating staff on allergies. "The new law means tens of millions of sandwiches across the UK will now have to detail everything it contains from the small trace of ingredients." Natasha was on her way to Nice, in France, for a summer holiday with Nad and her best friend Bethany Holloway in July 2016 when she bought the baguette from Pret a Manger at Heathrow Airport. It contained hidden sesame seeds, something she was allergic to but the ingredient was not labelled on the packet. Shortly after take-off, Natasha had a reaction. Nad rushed her to the toilet and gave her two shots of adrenaline from her EpiPens which he expected would fight off the reaction. Her last words were 'I can't breathe, I'm suffocating, help me Daddy', before she suffered a fatal heart attack. An inquest in 2018 into Natasha's death blasted Pret for its 'inadequate' labelling and fault in Natasha's death, making the company vow to make a 'meaningful change'. Nad and Tanya launch their mission to get a law changed after the inquest. It now means any fresh item prepared on the premises of sale will now have to list every ingredient it contains. To visit the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation go to 5 5
CBS News
16-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Bay Area teen finds relief after breakthrough peanut allergy treatment
A groundbreaking study is offering new hope for children living with severe peanut allergies — including a teen from the Bay Area. Lucy, a 13-year-old from Sunnyvale, said her life once revolved around avoiding even the slightest trace of peanuts. "For years, I had to stay away from anything that might have touched a peanut," Lucy shared. "I once ate something, and my throat started to feel weird — it was scary." For Lucy and her family, every meal came with anxiety. Her mother, Elizabeth, said they worked hard as a family to make sure Lucy was safe. "My husband, our extended family — we all had to learn how to read food labels, watch out for ingredients, and constantly be on guard. You never knew if something homemade had been cross-contaminated," Elizabeth recalled. Thanks to a recent study out of Mount Sinai in New York, families like Lucy's are finding new freedom. The research, focused on oral immunotherapy where patients gradually introduced small amounts of peanuts over 18 months. A Sunnyvale mother dispenses a small amount of peanuts for her daughter as part of an oral immunotherapy treatment for children with severe peanut allergies. CBS The result? Every child in the study was eventually able to consume the equivalent of three tablespoons of peanut butter — enough for a full peanut butter and jelly sandwich — without an allergic reaction. Dr. Jaspreet Dhami, a board-certified allergist and immunologist at Latitude Food Allergy Care in San Francisco, said the findings are promising. "This is a simple, cost-effective therapy that can truly change lives," Dhami said. Lucy began oral immunotherapy nearly a year ago. After 10 months of gradual exposure, she's now on a daily maintenance dose — the equivalent of about one and a half peanuts. "That might not sound like much," Lucy said, "but it means I can try new foods without worrying." For her family, the therapy has brought a deep sense of relief. While more research is needed — and oral immunotherapy may not be right for everyone — experts believe this could pave the way for treating other food allergies in the future.
Health Line
06-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Can You Develop a Peanut Allergy Later in Life?
It's possible to develop a peanut allergy later in your life. According to a 2021 study, approximately 17.5% of people with peanut allergies developed the allergy as adults. Adult-onset peanut allergies typically occur between the ages of 30 and 39. What makes adults more likely to develop peanut allergies? People with existing allergic conditions, such as eczema or asthma, insect sting allergies, or latex allergies, are more likely to develop new allergies as adults. Genetics may also play a role. If a family member has a peanut allergy, it could raise your risk of developing a peanut allergy later in life. It's also possible that your peanut allergy was present in your childhood but not recognized or diagnosed until later in life. Other factors that might increase your risk of developing a peanut allergy as an adult include: Environmental exposure: Moving to a different location can trigger a new allergic reaction, due to exposure to new allergens. Gut microbiota: A 2023 study found that changes in gut microbiota may play a role in the development of peanut allergies. But more research is needed to confirm this theory. Immune system changes: As people age, their immune systems can become more sensitive to allergens, triggering new allergies. What are the symptoms of a peanut allergy? Symptoms of a peanut allergy can vary in severity. Common symptoms include: If you experience any of these symptoms and suspect a peanut allergy, seek medical attention immediately. Your symptoms may worsen as the peanut allergen passes through your system. A healthcare professional can help rule out other causes, manage symptoms, and keep them from getting worse. A severe reaction to peanuts might include anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis causes acute symptoms, such as constriction (swelling) of airways, low pulse, and shock, which is known as anaphylactic shock. This can be fatal if it isn't treated immediately.
