Allergy Month in Review: February 2025

Allergy research experienced notable developments in February, with mixed results in immunotherapy and promising advancements in allergic treatment strategies. A Phase 1/2 trial investigating oral immunotherapy demonstrated increased food allergy thresholds in children with multiple allergies but failed to meet its primary endpoint. Meanwhile, gradual exposure to store-bought peanut butter may be more effective in desensitizing children with peanut allergies than avoidance strategies, adding to the growing discussion on early allergen introduction. Notably, peanut oral immunotherapy has now become available in the US for children as young as one, potentially shifting the paradigm for early intervention.

In anaphylaxis management, nearly 1 in 7 pediatric patients experienced biphasic anaphylaxis despite initial epinephrine administration, underscoring the need for vigilant post-treatment monitoring. A pre-seasonal short-course immunotherapy showed significant symptom reduction in a Phase 3 trial, marking a milestone for grass pollen allergy treatment. Meanwhile, a conference presentation highlighted the efficacy of tezepelumab for reducing nasal polyp severity and the need for surgery in patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).

Beyond clinical trials, a new clinical quiz challenged healthcare providers to test their knowledge of professional allergy association guidelines, emphasizing. This month in review reinforces the ongoing evolution of allergy treatment and management, shaping future clinical approaches to immunotherapy, prevention, and patient care.

Here’s what happened in February:

ADP101 Immunotherapy Increases Food Allergy Threshold but Misses Primary Endpoint

Oral ADP101, a novel, pharmaceutical-grade oral immunotherapy, raised food allergy thresholds in children with single or multiple food allergies but missed its primary endpoint in the Phase 1/2 Harmony trial. Only 55% of high-dose ADP101 participants tolerated a ≥600 mg challenge dose, with 38.1% of patients on low-dose ADP101 achieved improvement. The trial missed its primary endpoint after numerous comparison adjustments (high dose, P = .097; low dose, P = .306).

In Food Allergy, Exposure to Store-Bought Peanut Butter Bests Avoidance Strategies

Gradually escalating exposure to store-bought peanut butter may desensitize children with peanut allergy, even after discontinuing the treatment approach. The CAFETERIA trial evaluated 73 children aged 4 to 14 over 18 months, showing children who consumed increasing doses of peanut butter achieved greater desensitization rates than those who avoided peanuts.

Biphasic Anaphylaxis in Children: Study Finds 1 in 7 Cases Occur After Epinephrine

Nearly 1 in 7 pediatric patients experienced a biphasic reaction after intramuscular injection of epinephrine in a retrospective cohort study of children admitted for anaphylaxis. Among 371 cases of anaphylaxis in 280 patients, 49 (14%) children experienced biphasic reactions, with all occurring at 0–4-hour intervals after treatment initiation.

Grass MATA MPL Shows 20.3% Symptom Reduction in Phase 3 Allergy Immunotherapy Trial

Grass MATA MPL, an aluminum-free, pre-seasonal short-course immunotherapy, met the primary endpoint in the Phase 3 G306 trial, with patients with grass pollen allergies achieving significant and clinically meaningful point differences in allergy improvement. Among more than 500 participants, those treated with Grass MATA MPL reported a 20.3% reduction in allergy scores (P = .0005), compared with placebo, during the peak pollen season.

Palforzia Now Available in US for Children Aged 1 – 3 years with Peanut Allergy

Stallergenes Greer announced the US availability of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Allergen Powder-dnfp (Palforzia®) oral immunotherapy for children aged 1 – 3 years with a confirmed peanut allergy. Approved by the FDA in July 2024, treatment with Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Allergen Powder at an early age could prevent the progression of peanut allergies, based on positive data from the Phase 3 POSEIDON trial.

Tezepelumab Reduces Nasal Polyp Severity in Severe CRSwNP During Phase 3 Trial

Tezepelumab significantly reduced nasal polyp severity and the need for surgery among patients with severe CRSwNP in the Phase 3 WAYPOINT study. Presented at the 2025 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting, participants on tezepelumab significantly improved their total nasal polyp and mean nasal congestion scores (P < .0001) at week 52, compared with placebo

Clinical Quiz: Clinical Considerations in Food Allergy Prevention

Consensus guidance from professional allergy associations provides a framework for clinicians to implement evidence-based strategies for allergy prevention, while also discussing broader clinical implications, including the impact of shared decision-making and misinformation. In this clinical quiz, we test your knowledge of best practices for clinical assessment, counseling, and management strategies in the primary prevention of food allergy.