In a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine, children between the ages of four and 17 responded well to an active drug that allows for higher peanut protein tolerance.
A three-phase trial tested a peanut-derived drug called AR101. The study was conducted by Aimmune Therapeutics in 10 countries in North America and Europe.
The New York Times said the aim of the new drug was to reduce the risk of accidental exposure that may be life threatening - but not to allow children with peanut allergies to freely consume peanut products or to cure peanut allergies.
The research screened 551 participants aged four to 55, all with peanut allergies, for allergic dose limiting symptoms. The participants were given a 100mg dose of peanut protein in a double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge.
Out of the 551 participants, 496 were aged four to 17. Out of these 496, 372 children were given active treatment and 250 were able to ingest a dose of 600mg of peanut protein. These 250 children did not have dose-limiting symptoms at the end of the food challenge.
According to the study, the active drug was not effective on participants aged 18 and older.
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