But, Wood points out, the major food allergy categories have some key differences. For example, nut and shellfish allergies turn out to be rather diverse fields that reflect the relationships of the foods themselves. Walnuts and cashews are quite different nuts, evolutionarily speaking—just as lobsters (crustaceans) and mussels (mollusks) are fairly far apart on the marine phylogenic charts. So trying to treat entire categories is "going to be considerably more complex," Wood says.

Parsing out that problem has already begun. If researchers can isolate the peptides of each allergen's noxious protein, they might be able to make treatments targeted to individual patients' allergy profiles. But right now, scientists are still unsure what components of peanut, milk or fish proteins that upset so many people's immune systems. Studies are underway to test various possible peptides in mice that have been made allergic to some of these problematic foods.

And if scientists can isolate these food peptides, they might be able to combine them for more comprehensive treatments for people who have allergies to multiple food categories—much like the current customized allergy shots for people who have more than one airborne allergy. In the June Pediatrics study 30.4 percent of children with food allergies had reactions to more than one subset of food.

For now, however, all of the food allergy therapies remain in research labs. "The early results are promising, but they're really [just] studies right now," Burks says. And as much as parents are anxious to start their children on them, he adds, "they're not ready for clinical practice." But if the work continue to go well, he says, some of the oral therapies might reach the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval as soon as 2012.

4 Comments

1. 1. maryesselmanroberts 09:29 AM 7/1/11

   The article mentions sublingual immunotherapy (drops under the tongue) but does not seem to elaborate -- I would be interested in hearing more about this option and am curious to know if the author interviewed anyone who is administering or receiving this treatment.
   

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2. 2. Scientific American Reader in reply to maryesselmanroberts 01:06 PM 7/1/11

   From the research I've done on SLIT (sublingual immunotherapy), it is not FDA approved yet, so insurance does not cover them. They seem to be beneficial in treating food, seasonal allergies & asthma. They are not a cure, but, from what research shows, they may be aid in decreasing the severity of an allergy. Sounds like they would at least offer some protection against accidental ingestion.
   
   Some articles on SLIT:
   
   http://www.allergymoms.com/modules/wordpress/index.php?p=853
   
   http://www.allergymoms.com/modules/wordpress/index.php?p=912
   
   http://www.achooallergy.com/slit-allergy-cure.asp
   
   To find a SLIT provider, you can visit: www.allergychoices.com. Lacrosse Allergy of Wisconsin (www.lacrosseallergy.com) is the largest provider in the U.S.
   
   I don’t know how long it will be before they are FDA approved, but I hope it is soon. This therapy looks very promising!
   

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3. 3. Wayne Williamson 06:46 PM 7/8/11

   Over the last several years I've become allergic to peanuts(one of my favorite things to eat)...one thing I've noticed is that the peanuts are very different from what they used to be in both shape and taste...anybody else notice this...just wondering...

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4. 4. Allergy Mom 07:59 AM 7/16/11

   Why was there no mention of the skin patch treatment, which is being viewed as a potential cure and is currently in trials in the UK? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8544761/Skin-patch-could-cure-peanut-allergy.html
   

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