Recent advances in food allergen immunotherapy

• Published in: Clinical and experimental pediatrics Vol. 67; no. 8; pp. 386 - 394
• Main Authors: Jeon, You Hoon, Kim, Edwin H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Pediatric Society 01.08.2024; The Korean Pediatric Society; 대한소아청소년과학회
• Subjects: epicutaneous immunotherapy; food allergy; oral immunotherapy; Review; sublingual immunotherapy; 소아과학; Food allergy; Epicutaneous immunotherapy; Sublingual immunotherapy; Oral immunotherapy
• ISSN: 2713-4148; 2713-4148
• DOI: 10.3345/cep.2023.01004

Food allergies can pose significant risks and profoundly impact the quality of life of children and their families, making them a major public health concern. Allergen avoidance has been the traditional mainstay of treatment; however, recent research has focused on various approaches to food allergen immunotherapy. This review summarizes the recent advancements in oral, sublingual, and epicutaneous immunotherapies, highlighting their respective advantages and disadvantages. The ultimate goal of food allergen immunotherapy is to maximize efficacy while minimizing risks, leading to the exploration of strategies such as low-dose immunotherapy and the use of biologics. When selecting candidates for immunotherapy among patients with food allergies, factors such as allergen characteristics, the likelihood of natural resolution, age, symptom severity, and impact on quality of life require consideration, and an individualized approach should be adopted to determine the most suitable treatment method.