Dissapointing News on Peanut Allergy Drug

As a peanut allergy sufferer, this news was disappointing (WSJ):

Genentech inc. stopped a clinical trial of a drug it hopes can be used to prevent peanut-allergy reactions, citing safety concerns not with the drug itself but with an allergy test.

The South San Francisco, Calif., biotechnology company said two children in the 150-person trial experienced "severe hypersensitivity reactions" when given a trace amount of peanut protein, an initial step designed to gauge the severity of a patient's allergies. Neither child had received the drug, called Xolair, the company said. Xolair is on the market, approved as a treatment for allergic asthma.

"We had always been very nervous about that study," said Susan Desmond-Hellmann, head of product development for Genentech. "We are not going to do that anymore."

Cancellation of the Xolair trial means that an approved treatment for peanut allergy remains years away at the earliest. Dr. Desmond-Hellmann said Genentech may explore the possibility of moving straight to a large-scale trial that wouldn't involve a peanut "challenge," as the allergic-reaction test is called. Instead, such a trial might track volunteers over an extended period of time, to determine if those receiving Xolair experienced fewer accidental peanut reactions than those taking a placebo.

"It's going to take a long time, and it's going to be hard work, but it's better than exposing someone we know to be allergic" to peanuts, Dr. Desmond-Hellmann said.

The setback is the latest delay in a long and fitful effort to find a drug that can blunt the serious consequences of peanut allergy. The condition, which affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans, can lead to life-threatening anaphylactic shock if allergic individuals ingest even a trace amount of peanut flour or oil. In November, a 15-year-old Canadian girl with the allergy died reportedly after a kiss from her boyfriend, who had earlier eaten a peanut-butter snack.

David E. Williams of the Health Business Blog reasonably asks "is Genentech competent to develop a drug to treat peanut allergy?":

Xolair is already approved for asthma, and many people with peanut allergy have asthma, so there should be no huge problem getting the drug to the relevant patients. But it seems odd that the danger of being in the control group retards the availability of a medication.

Does Genentech know what it's doing?

I'll give Genentech the benefit the doubt that for the moment, the would have gone through with the trial, if they felt that it was possible, and generally I still remain optimistic that they'll come up with something sooner or later (where there's a market demand...).

And yes, about 100 people emailed me this article in November.  Thankfully, my allergy isn't quite as severe.

Comments

[allergy doctor]

Glad to hear that there is a cure in peanut allergy.

-Kaylee

[severe allergies]

Over a field of ragweed plants floats an invisible cloud of pollen grains, soon carried by the wind into a nearby town. The pollen is inhaled by a child whose body has never been exposed to this substance before.

Because of some genetic predisposing factor, this child's immune system overreacts and produces large numbers of IgE antibodies, all specially designed to respond to ragweed pollen. Several of the antibodies attach themselves to cells in the child's nasal passages and upper respiratory tract.

[asthma inhaler use]

The corticosteroids are given in two ways - inhaled via a metered dose inhaler (MDI) or orally via pill/tablet or liquid form. The inhaled corticosteroids are flunisolide (AeroBid), triamcinolone (Azmacort) and beclomethasone (Beclovent and Vaceril).

[nasal congestion remedies]

A theory of the development of peanut allergy has to do with the way that peanuts are processed in North America versus other countries like China and India. Peanuts are widely eaten in China and India but peanut allergies are almost unheard of there. According to a 2003 study, roasting peanuts, as more commonly done in North America, causes the major peanut allergen Ara h2 to become a stronger inhibitor of the digestive enzyme trypsin, making it more resistant to digestion.

[Vimax]

So there should be no huge botheration accepting the biologic to the accordant patients.

[teeter hang ups]

The peanut is an important source of protein for human consumption origenvegetal animal. It also generates valuable income to developing countries in the cheese develops 90 percent of world production.

[Puma Clyde]

These look great! I recently read a recipe in Bon Appetit that added a huge pat of butter to the inside of a burger! I'm glad to see something that doesn't rely on so much fat for flavor, haha.

[cheap coach bags]

The more people feel that you are, the more you think God!

[cialis super active]

i am agree with the previous comment.

[male enhancement]

This blog really makes me impressed and attractive thanks to this blog I can get more knowledge from previous

[Cialis]

Well that's really cool that Americans can lead to life-threatening anaphylactic shock if allergic individuals ingest even a trace amount of peanut flour or oil...Thanks