Baked Milk Immunotherapy Offers Relief for Cow's Milk Allergy Patients: Study

Cow's milk allergy is the most common food allergy among young children. This condition persists into adolescence and adulthood for about 20% of cases. Due to the ubiquity of milk, avoidance is challenging, leading to frequent severe reactions as well as social and dietary restrictions. This significantly impacts the quality of life. To address this, an effective treatment is essential. This study was conducted to test the safety and efficacy of a baked milk oral immunotherapy for children with severe milk allergies, and the results were promising, according to primary author Jennifer Dantzer, MD, MHS.

In a phase II double-blind, placebo-controlled study, researchers compared BMOIT to a placebo over 12 months. After one year, the study was unblinded, and the placebo group switched to active therapy while the active baked milk group continued to receive 2000mg of BMOIT for another 12 months. Participants underwent oral food challenges two years later for baked and unheated milk.

Key findings from the study are:

· 24/ 30 randomized patients completed the year two oral food challenges.

· 92% of participants tolerated approximately 2g doses of baked milk (BM)

· 79% of participants tolerated the maximum cumulative dose of 4g, with no difference between those on BMOIT for 12 or 24 months.

· The group receiving BM for 24 months showed a greater tolerance for unheated milk compared to those receiving 12 months of BMOIT or the placebo group. Longer treatment duration also demonstrated increased efficacy.

· Symptoms occurred in 12% of BM doses, primarily mild and without severe reactions. Common symptoms were oropharyngeal and gastrointestinal.

Cow's milk allergy affects many young children, and currently, no known treatments exist. This study provides promising evidence for potential therapies in the future. After 12 and 24 months of treatment, participants showed significantly reduced sensitivity to milk products.

Reference:

Baked Milk Oral Immunotherapy Found to be Effective Treatment for Cow's Milk Allergy. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. February 5, 2024. https://www.aaaai.org/about/news/news/2024/baked. Date accessed: February 21, 2024.