Abstract
Peanut allergy treatment options remain limited, but novel approaches
are being studied, including epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT). EPIT
uses the cutaneous immune system to promote tolerance to food allergens.
Viaskin TM Peanut, an approach to EPIT in late-stage
clinical development uses an occlusive patch with a condensation chamber
that enables natural epidermal water loss to solubilize dry antigen on
the patch, which is then absorbed and captured by skin dendritic cells.
This form of EPIT does not require disruption of the skin barrier, thus
avoiding a proinflammatory cytokine response by targeting the
non-vascularized epidermis and limiting systemic allergen exposure.
Extensive preclinical research suggests that Viaskin Peanut has a
distinct mechanism of desensitization, including the potential for
disease modification, driven by a unique population of regulatory T
cells. Numerous clinical studies of Viaskin Peanut have demonstrated
desensitization and reductions in reaction severity, particularly in
children aged 1 through 11 years, as well as a favorable safety profile
with mostly mild to moderate skin reactions that were observed to
decrease over time. EPIT with Viaskin Peanut may be a potential
therapeutic option for peanut allergy that is clinically practical with
long-term efficacy and tolerability.