Advances, Practical Implementation, and Unmet Needs Regarding Oral Immunotherapy for Food Allergy

Treatment of food allergy is a rapidly changing landscape, with arguably, the most significant advancement in recent years, the transition of oral immunotherapy (OIT) to clinical practice. As an innovation, OIT is a phase of rapidly increasing demand, particularly for some allergens such as peanut, egg, and milk, which have substantial evidence of efficacy. However, significant questions remain about how to best treat multiple food allergies and less common food allergies and how to optimize long-term safety and efficacy. This review summarizes the currently available resources for integrating food allergy OIT into clinical practice and focuses on the multiple remaining unmet needs such as providing an approach for OIT to food allergens for which there is no or limited evidence; practical issues related to food allergy treatment particularly when it is not going well; long-term outcomes and follow-up after OIT; and strategies to help meet the impending increase in demand. (c) 2021 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Automated summary

The treatment of food allergies is continuously evolving, and oral immunotherapy (OIT) has emerged as a significant advancement in recent years. There is a growing demand for OIT, especially for allergens like peanut, egg, and milk, which have substantial evidence of efficacy. However, there are still important questions surrounding the treatment of multiple and less common food allergies, as well as the long-term safety and effectiveness of OIT.