A pilot study of omalizumab to facilitate rapid oral desensitization in high-risk peanut-allergic patients.

Background: Peanut allergy is a major public health problem that affects 1% of the population and has no effective therapy.

Objective: To examine the safety and efficacy of oral desensitization in peanut-allergic children in combination with a brief course of anti-IgE mAb (omalizumab [Xolair]).

Methods: We performed oral peanut desensitization in peanut-allergic children at high risk for developing significant peanut-induced allergic reactions.