Latest Cambridge peanut desensitisation trials hit the National news.

The team at Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge is about to start the next phase of its peanut desensitisation trials involving 104 subjects. The new trial will not only involve more subjects, but will also include a control group of subjects.

The initial phase of the trials was extremely successful and involved 23 peanut allergic children.  At the end of the trial the children were able to tolerate up to 32 peanuts.

If the new trial is successful, clinical treatment for peanut allergic children may be available within 3 years.

It must be stressed that desensitisation should not be tried at home.  The trials are undertaken under close supervision in a clinical setting.