Peanut Allergy Sufferers Given Fresh Hope through New Research
Berlin Researchers Discover Potential Blood Biomarkers for Peanut Allergy Immunotherapy Success
In a groundbreaking study published in the journal "Allergy", researchers from the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité in Berlin have discovered potential biomarkers that could predict the success of peanut allergy immunotherapy in children.
The study examined the blood and immune cells of 38 children, average age 7, who were receiving oral desensitization for their peanut allergy. The researchers found that children who responded well to the treatment showed less reactive immune systems, reflected by reduced allergy antibodies (immunoglobulins) and inflammatory cytokines in blood.
Young-Ae Lee, the study's lead author from the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, explained, "We found that children who responded well to peanut oral immunotherapy (OIT) had lower baseline immunoglobulin (Ig) levels and cytokine concentrations."
The researchers also identified differences in gene expression and DNA methylation patterns in immune cells, especially those associated with T cells and innate immune cells which are more abundant in the gut but detectable in blood. These epigenetic and transcriptomic markers were linked to better or poorer treatment responses.
Furthermore, the researchers are studying gut-associated immune cells present in blood as potential biomarkers to predict response and personalize therapy. They aim to develop a simple blood test to tailor treatment length and allergen dose per individual child.
The study also suggests that the gut microbiome profile correlates with outcomes. Children who maintain remission after therapy tend to have distinct microbial features associated with favorable bile acid metabolism and immune regulation. This systemic metabolic and immune interplay suggests that some microbial metabolites detectable in blood might also serve as indirect biomarkers in the future.
The potential biomarkers discovered could aid in predicting a child's response to peanut allergy immunotherapy in the future. The researchers are developing a predictive model to tailor peanut allergy immunotherapy to individual children. They are planning a follow-up study to confirm their findings.
Oral immunotherapy involves gradually exposing the body to peanut allergens through the mouth to help manage the allergy, but it can cause severe reactions in some cases. The ability to predict a child's response to treatment could help doctors tailor the therapy to each child, reducing the risk of severe reactions.
The study's co-author, Kirsten Beyer from Charité, emphasized the importance of the findings, "Our findings could pave the way for personalized peanut allergy immunotherapy, making it safer and more effective for children."
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