Peanut Allergen Powder-dnfp: A Novel Oral Immunotherapy to Mitigate Peanut Allergy.

John A Dougherty, Justin D Wagner, Megan C Stanton

The Annals of pharmacotherapy 2021 Mar

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To review data on efficacy and safety of peanut allergen powder-dnfp (PAP; Palforzia), a novel oral immunotherapy for peanut allergy, a common food allergy. A PubMed/CINAHL search in English was performed from inception to June 30, 2020, using the search words peanut allergy, desensitization, ARA101, and peanut oral immunotherapy. Published phase 2 and 3 clinical trials, documents presented to the Food and Drug Administration, and supplemental study documentation were reviewed. Articles evaluated PAP's pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety. PAP was efficacious and safe for treatment of peanut allergy in mostly Caucasian children, 4 to 17 years old. A key phase III clinical trial showed a statistically significant difference (primary end point) between PAP 600 mg and placebo groups (67.2% vs 4%; P < 0.001). During initial dose escalation and updosing phases, gastrointestinal and respiratory tract allergic reactions (ARs) were more common in the PAP group. More epinephrine rescue was used in the PAP group. Oral immunotherapy for desensitization of peanut allergy was shown to reduce the severity of reactions if accidental allergen exposure occurs. Risk evaluation and mitigation strategy certification is required for pharmacies, health care providers, and clinics. More data in real-world populations will enhance its effectiveness. In patients 4 to 17 years old, PAP mitigated ARs, including anaphylaxis, that may occur with accidental peanut exposure. Although there are risks, it was efficacious in more than two-thirds of participants in phase 2 and phase 3 efficacy trials.

Citation

John A Dougherty, Justin D Wagner, Megan C Stanton. Peanut Allergen Powder-dnfp: A Novel Oral Immunotherapy to Mitigate Peanut Allergy. The Annals of pharmacotherapy. 2021 Mar;55(3):344-353