Hasan Arshad, Professor of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the University of Southampton, is Head of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology at Southampton University Hospital and is the lead investigator on the trial. “We'll have to wait until the trial is complete to know the full picture, but we're very pleased with the results we've seen so far,” he said.
“Currently, people with food allergies are required to avoid the foods they react to and to carry an adrenaline pen in case of accidental exposure. This is not a satisfactory situation and we We want them to be able to live without avoiding foods that others like, or are afraid of an accidental food allergic reaction.
“The Natasha trial aims to improve the lives of people living with food allergies. Our ultimate goal is to live without the risk of allergic reactions, which can be serious and life-threatening for some people.
If successful, the three-year trial, led by researchers from the University of Southampton, Southampton University Hospital and Imperial College London, will provide evidence of a treatment available on the NHS.
Thomas Farmer, 11, was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy when he was one year old, but after taking part in a trial in Southampton he can now eat six peanuts a day. His mother, Lauren, said: “It's amazing that Thomas is able to accomplish all of this without medication and with just commercially available food.”
Trial participants Thomas, Tanya and Nadim Ednan Laperouse.
Thomas attended Natasha's trial in Southampton in March 2023, but he couldn't resist half a peanut. By January 2024, he will be eating 6 peanuts per day and will continue to incorporate this amount into his diet.
Lauren added: “Having a food allergy can be really difficult and isolating. As parents who have lived with a peanut allergy for nearly 10 years, we know how to better understand it and help manage it. I wanted to know if there was one.” allergy.
“At first, it was very scary for us, too, as we didn't know what to expect when Thomas did a food challenge. Thomas persevered. I am extremely proud of what I have achieved and continue to accomplish through this challenge.''
“Knowing that Thomas can now tolerate 6 peanuts a day has taken away a lot of dietary anxiety. We've also found it easier for Thomas to eat a wider variety of foods because we don't have to worry as much about accidental exposure.” I hope they will be able to eat it.”
“I wanted to do this research so that I could help people with the same allergies as me and be a positive role model for others who may be going through the same experiences as me,” Thomas said. states.
The trial is being carried out across five hospitals: Southampton University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Leicester University Hospitals NHS Trust, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Sheffield Children's Hospital. The trial will soon begin in Scotland (Edinburgh and Aberdeen), with Bristol and Leeds also expected to join soon.
So far, a total of 139 children aged 2 to 23 with food allergies to peanuts or milk have started treatment in the Natasha trial. It is the first large-scale study funded by the Natasha Foundation, founded by Natasha Ednan's parents. – Laperouse, who died at the age of 15 due to a severe food allergic reaction.
Natasha's parents, Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, both recipients of the Order of the British Empire for their work with charities and people with allergies, are delighted with the progress the trial is making.
Tanya said: “We are very happy that some children with peanut and milk allergies are already realizing the benefits of consuming everyday foods under medical supervision for the treatment of allergic diseases. “If Natasha were alive today, this is exactly the type of research she would be doing.” She loved being a part of.
“This is a big step in our mission to change the history of food allergies. We look forward to seeing the final results.”
Mr Nadim added: “…we have leveraged the support of the food industry who have funded this trial to demonstrate that OIT can be used in everyday foods, making it more viable for use in the NHS. It proves that it will happen,” he added.
The trial is also training a network of NHS staff to deliver pioneering OIT treatment to people with food allergies.