Epicutaneous Immunotherapy (EPIT) for Peanut Allergy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase II Study in Children and Adults (DAIT COFAR6)

Food allergy occurs when the immune system reacts against foods. The immune system is the part of the body that protects us from illness and germs, but it can also cause allergies. Peanut allergy occurs in 1 - 2% of people in the United States and other Western countries. There is proof that allergy to peanut is increasing. Allergic reactions to peanut can be severe and life threatening. The only way that you can prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid exposure to peanuts. However, peanut proteins are found in a variety of foods and people can be accidently exposed to peanut proteins. Treatment for accidental exposure include antihistamines (medications like Benadryl), and injectable epinephrine (adrenalin) which must be carried at all times. DBV Technologies has developed an epicutaneous delivery system, a patch that puts the peanut protein on the skin.

食物过敏是指免疫系统对食物产生异常免疫应答的病症。免疫系统是人体抵御疾病与病原体的核心防御系统，但也可能引发过敏反应。在美国及其他西方国家，花生过敏的患病率为1%至2%。现有研究证据表明，花生过敏的发病率呈上升趋势。花生过敏引发的免疫反应可能十分剧烈，甚至危及生命。目前预防花生过敏反应的唯一手段是避免接触花生。但花生蛋白广泛存在于多种食品中，人们可能在不知情的情况下意外摄入花生蛋白。针对意外暴露后的治疗手段包括服用抗组胺药（如苯海拉明（Benadryl）类药物），以及需随时随身携带的注射用肾上腺素（epinephrine，又称adrenalin）。DBV技术公司（DBV Technologies）已研发出一款经皮给药系统（epicutaneous delivery system）：该贴剂可将花生蛋白递送于皮肤表面。