Grant: Project Grant

Food allergy is a growing global problem, affecting over 3 million Canadians. Allergies to peanut and tree nuts are the leading causes of food-related allergic reactions and death. Because peanut allergy represents a response to a single food and is therefore easier to study, our understanding of peanut allergy and its management is, versus tree nut allergy (which can be a response to up to 6 foods), much more complete. Although new and safe treatments for tree nut allergy are needed, even current treatments for peanut allergy treatment are associated with significant adverse effects. We propose a randomized clinical trial (RCT) to evaluate two new treatments for patients with tree nut allergy. These treatments will employ new ways and doses that have beneficial effects and little to no adverse effects. Proving in principle that these two treatments can be effective and safe addresses a major gap in management of patients not only with tree nut allergy but also potentially with other food allergies, including peanut allergy. The TRADE study could therefore justify a subsequent large-scale randomized trial that will ultimately transform standards of care in food allergy and consequently decrease reactions, healthcare costs and emergency visits and improve quality of life.