Safety of Food Oral Immunotherapy: What We Know, and What We Need to Learn

Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2020 Feb;40(1):111-133. doi: 10.1016/j.iac.2019.09.013. Epub 2019 Nov 6.

Abstract

Oral immunotherapy (OIT) for food allergy entails a risk of adverse reactions, including anaphylaxis. This safety concern is the major barrier for OIT to become a therapeutic option in clinical practice. The high heterogeneity in safety reporting of OIT studies prevents setting the safety profile accurately. An international consensus is needed to facilitate the analysis of large pooled clinical data with homogeneous safety reporting, that together with integrated omics, and patients/families' opinions, may help stratify the patients' risk and needs, and help developing safe(r) individualized care pathways. This will give OIT the right place in the food allergy therapy.

Keywords: Allergy; Food; Immunotherapy; Oral immunotherapy; Safety.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / immunology
  • Anaphylaxis / etiology
  • Anaphylaxis / prevention & control*
  • Animals
  • Desensitization, Immunologic / adverse effects
  • Desensitization, Immunologic / methods*
  • Food
  • Food Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Food Hypersensitivity / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Risk

Substances

  • Allergens