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Walnut Oral Immunotherapy for Tree Nut Allergy

Primary Purpose

Peanut Allergy

Status
Withdrawn
Phase
Not Applicable
Locations
United States
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
walnut powder
walnut powder
Sponsored by
Jonathan Spergel
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Peanut Allergy focused on measuring Interventional, Randomized, Double blind, Placebo controlled, Pediatric

Eligibility Criteria

6 Years - 21 Years (Child, Adult)All SexesDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 6 to 21 years, either sex, any race, any ethnicity with a convincing clinical history of walnut or another tree nut allergy and either a positive prick skin test (>3mm) or serologic evidence of allergic sensitization (defined as specific IgE>0.35 kU/L) to walnut and at least one other tree.
  • A positive <2000 mg protein oral food challenge at enrollment to walnut and to one other tree nut.
  • Written informed consent from participant and/or parent/guardian, including assent where indicated.
  • All females of child-bearing age must be using appropriate birth control or practicing abstinence.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of severe anaphylaxis to walnut or other tree nuts, defined as symptoms associated with hypoxia, hypotension or neurologic compromise (cyanosis or SpO2<92% at any stage, hypotension, confusion, collapse, loss of consciousness; or incontinence).
  • Known allergy to oat
  • Chronic disease (other than asthma, atopic dermatitis, rhinitis) requiring therapy or other respiratory or medical conditions deemed by the investigator to put subject at increased risk of anaphylaxis or poor outcomes from receiving OIT or undergoing food challenge.
  • Poor control or persistent activation of atopic dermatitis
  • Active eosinophilic or other inflammatory (e.g., celiac) gastrointestinal disease in the past 2 years.
  • Participation in any interventional study for food allergy in the past 6 months
  • Participant is on "build-up phase" of immunotherapy (i.e., has not reached maintenance dosing).
  • Severe asthma (2007 NHLBI Criteria Steps 5 or 6, see Appendix 2)
  • Mild or moderate (2007 NHLBI Criteria Steps 1-4) asthma with any of the following criteria met:
  • FEV1 < 80% of predicted, or FEV1/FVC < 75%, with or without controller medications or
  • ICS dosing of > 500 mcg daily fluticasone (or equivalent inhaled corticosteroids based on NHLBI dosing chart) or
  • History of daily oral steroid dosing for > 1 month during the past year or
  • Burst of oral, IM, or IV steroids for >3 days in the past 6 months for asthma control or
  • > 1 burst of oral, IM or IV steroids in the past year for asthma control or
  • > 1 hospitalization in the past year for asthma or
  • > 1 ER visit in the past 6 months for asthma
  • Inability to discontinue antihistamines for initial day escalation, skin testing or OFC
  • Use of omalizumab or other non-traditional forms of allergen immunotherapy (e.g., oral or sublingual) or immunomodulator therapy (not including corticosteroids) or biologic therapy within the past year
  • Use of beta-blockers (oral), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARB) or calcium channel blockers

Sites / Locations

  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm 2

Arm Type

Active Comparator

Placebo Comparator

Arm Label

walnut powder

placebo arm

Arm Description

Subjects will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio into either an active treatment group (final dose 1500 mg walnut protein, n=20) or a placebo group (n=10). Subjects will undergo a one-day desensitization protocol designed to enable the subject to tolerate 6 mg of walnut protein or placebo (initial day escalation phase). After the initial escalation day achieving at least 1.5 mg and up to 6 mg of walnut protein or placebo, dosing build-up will occur every two weeks through dose 24 at 34 weeks. A maintenance dose will be given for 4 weeks followed by a 5 gram protein OFC to walnut and a 5 gram protein OFC to a second tree nut (at ~38 weeks), after which the study will be unblinded.

Subjects will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio into either an active treatment group (final dose 1500 mg walnut protein, n=20) or a placebo group (n=10). Subjects will undergo a one-day desensitization protocol designed to enable the subject to tolerate 6 mg of walnut protein or placebo (initial day escalation phase). After the initial escalation day achieving at least 1.5 mg and up to 6 mg of walnut protein or placebo, dosing build-up will occur every two weeks through dose 24 at 34 weeks. A maintenance dose will be given for 4 weeks followed by a 5 gram protein OFC to walnut and a 5 gram protein OFC to a second tree nut (at ~38 weeks), after which the study will be unblinded. Placebo subjects that fail the OFC will be crossed over to active treatment and escalated as described to the 1500 mg target dose.

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

effectiveness of walnut immunotherapy on desensitization to test tree nut or reduction in serum specific IgE
The primary clinical efficacy outcome of the study will be the change from baseline OFC in cumulative dose reached at the desensitization OFC to the test tree nut.

Secondary Outcome Measures

The percentage of subjects who reach a cumulative dose of 5000 mg and 2000 mg at the desensitization OFC to walnut and to the test tree nut (desensitization OFC is at ~38 weeks)
1.The percentage of subjects who reach a cumulative dose of 5000 mg and 2000 mg at the desensitization OFC to walnut and to the test tree nut (desensitization OFC is at ~38 weeks)
The percentage of subjects who reach a cumulative dose of 5000 mg and 2000 mg at the desensitization OFC to walnut and to the test tree nut (desensitization OFC is at ~38 weeks)
2.The percentage of subjects that demonstrate clinical tolerance at end of study to walnut and to the test tree nut.
The percentage of subjects who reach a cumulative dose of 5000 mg and 2000 mg at the desensitization OFC to walnut and to the test tree nut (desensitization OFC is at ~38 weeks)
3.The change in immune parameters over time including humoral responses, basophil/effector cell responses, and cytokine responses to tree nuts in cultured cells over time.
The percentage of subjects who reach a cumulative dose of 5000 mg and 2000 mg at the desensitization OFC to walnut and to the test tree nut (desensitization OFC is at ~38 weeks)
4.Incidence of all serious adverse events during the study

Full Information

First Posted
July 22, 2012
Last Updated
September 8, 2014
Sponsor
Jonathan Spergel
Collaborators
University of Arkansas
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT01918657
Brief Title
Walnut Oral Immunotherapy for Tree Nut Allergy
Official Title
Walnut Oral Immunotherapy for Tree Nut Allergy-CHOP
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
September 2014
Overall Recruitment Status
Withdrawn
Why Stopped
Unable to get an IND from the FDA for the walnut powder
Study Start Date
February 2014 (undefined)
Primary Completion Date
February 2016 (Anticipated)
Study Completion Date
February 2016 (Anticipated)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Sponsor-Investigator
Name of the Sponsor
Jonathan Spergel
Collaborators
University of Arkansas

4. Oversight

Data Monitoring Committee
Yes

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
The purpose of this research study is to learn about the medical effects, safety, and how the Walnut Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) treatment affects your body (immune system). This type of immunotherapy involves giving increasing doses of walnut allergen to gradually build up a person's tolerance to walnut and at least one other tree nut. The goal of the study is to determine whether participants can tolerate (eat) walnuts and at least one other tree nut in their diet after stopping the study therapy.
Detailed Description
Our central hypothesis is that tree nut allergic subjects with multiple tree nut allergies will experience both clinical desensitization and immunologic evidence of a shift towards tolerance induction to multiple tree nuts when treated with OIT to walnut protein alone. We will address our hypothesis through investigations focused on the following objectives: Objective #1: Examine the role of specific OIT to walnut protein in the induction of clinical desensitization to other tree nuts. Objective #2: Determine the role of specific OIT to walnut protein in the induction of clinical desensitization to walnut. Objective #3: Determine the change in tree nut specific immune parameters associated with OIT related to clinical desensitization and a shift towards oral tolerance. Primary Objective: To examine the effectiveness of walnut OIT on clinical desensitization to a second tree nut (designated "test tree nut") causing allergy when compared to placebo treatment. The primary outcome of this objective will be the change from baseline OFC in cumulative dose reached at the desensitization OFC to the test tree nut. Purpose and expectations: This objective is designed to test the feasibility and effectiveness of using walnut OIT to desensitize subjects with other tree nut allergy(s). We expect to demonstrate the effectiveness of walnut OIT by showing that subjects on walnut OIT will have negative double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges (DBPCFC) to a second tree nut following completion of a ~38 week course of walnut OIT. We also expect that compared to placebo OIT, walnut OIT will induce significant decreases in: 1) wheal (swelling) size from a skin prick test to a second tree nut, 2) serum-specific IgE to a second tree nut, and 3) adverse effects with accidental tree nut ingestion and 4) an increase in tree nut specific IgG4. The studies under Objective #1 will determine the feasibility of utilizing walnut OIT for tree nut allergic subjects. At present, strict dietary avoidance of food allergens and ready access to self-injectable epinephrine is the standard of care for food allergy. However, this method of care does not work well for all subjects with tree nut allergy. The ubiquity of tree nut containing foods makes the possibility of inadvertent ingestion great; moreover, children and adults are often in circumstances where epinephrine injection would prove logistically difficult. If, however, we can demonstrate that walnut OIT is effective in reducing life-threatening reactions for tree nut allergic individuals, the treatment would provide an immediate and feasible prevention option for averting potentially life-threatening reactions to accidental tree nut exposure (desensitization). Additionally, this treatment may also provide an avenue to cause tree nut allergic individuals to lose their allergic reactivity to tree nuts (tolerance). Secondary Objectives: Objective #2: Determine the role of specific OIT to walnut protein in the induction of clinical desensitization to walnut. Through Objective #2, we will determine the effectiveness of walnut OIT in the induction of clinical desensitization to walnut. Prior studies have demonstrated the ability to change the threshold of allergen needed to induce anaphylaxis to specific foods, including egg and peanut. We anticipate that walnut OIT will provide protection from anaphylaxis (i.e., clinical desensitization) to walnut in subjects that have proven clinical reactivity to walnut protein. If walnut OIT proves to be effective in inducing desensitization, the treatment would provide a useful and feasible option for preventing life-threatening reactions that would be specific to walnut allergic subjects. Additionally, we may be able to induce clinical tolerance in a subset of walnut allergic subjects using this OIT approach. Objective #3: Determine the change in tree nut specific immune parameters associated with OIT related to clinical desensitization and a shift towards oral tolerance. Through Objective #3, we will seek to understand the molecular processes by which walnut OIT affects the immune system through evaluation of immune mechanisms in relationship to clinical findings of desensitization and/or tolerance. We will delineate the impact of walnut OIT on the subsequent cellular and humoral response to walnut protein by the following: 1) analysis of walnut and second tree nut specific IgE, IgG and IgG4 response, 2) characterization of allergen specific basophil activation, 3) characterization of mast cell responses through skin prick testing, and 4) analysis of specific T cell cytokine responses and regulatory T cell activation. We anticipate that the effect of walnut OIT will occur either by induction of regulatory T cells, conversion of T cells from an allergic (Th2) to a non-allergic (Th1) lymphocyte response (measured by cytokines, antibody levels, and skin prick test size), or a change in walnut-specific basophil activation. Our expectation is that the balance of immunoglobulin isotype response (IgE, IgG, and IgG4) is reflective of the antigen-specific immune response and will occur over time. We anticipate an increase in T regulatory specific cytokines, such as IL-10 and TGF-beta, that will parallel early clinical responses and that may indicate immune deviation toward tolerance. The conversion from Th2 to Th1 cytokine responses would have a similar clinical effect of making a subject less sensitive to tree nuts, but this would likely occur through an alternative mechanism or a mechanism combining T regulatory activation with other T cell changes. A change in basophil activation would indicate that subjects would be less sensitive to a specific tree nut, and we anticipate that response would be in parallel to the finding of clinical desensitization but may not indicate clinical tolerance development. Overall, we will assess these immune parameters over time and in conjunction with clinical levels of reactivity to determine which mechanism(s) is relevant for effective walnut OIT. STUDY DESIGN This walnut OIT study is a randomized, blinded, placebo controlled study based on previous experience at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) using OIT in food allergic subjects. CHOP will enroll 6 subjects (4 in the active treatment and 2 in the placebo treatment arms). Non-CHOP sites will enroll 24 subjects, making a total of 30 (20 in the active treatment and 10 in the placebo treatment arms) children and adults with walnut allergy and a second tree nut allergy. Subjects will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio into either an active treatment group (final dose 1500 mg walnut protein, n=20) or a placebo group (n=10). Subjects will undergo a one-day desensitization protocol designed to enable the subject to tolerate 6 mg of walnut protein or placebo (initial day escalation phase). After the initial escalation day achieving at least 1.5 mg and up to 6 mg of walnut protein or placebo, dosing build-up will occur every two weeks through dose 24 at 34 weeks. A maintenance dose will be given for 4 weeks followed by a 5 gram protein OFC to walnut and a 5 gram protein OFC to a second tree nut (at ~38 weeks), after which the study will be unblinded. Placebo subjects that fail the OFC will be crossed over to active treatment and escalated as described to the 1500 mg target dose. All subjects will be followed for a total of 142 weeks on active treatment which will be followed by an OFC (both on and then off therapy) to walnut and the second tree nut at the end of long-term maintenance therapy. Subjects that have a reduction in serum specific IgE to <5kU/L to walnut and the test tree nut before 142 weeks will be eligible for a tolerance OFC.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Peanut Allergy
Keywords
Interventional, Randomized, Double blind, Placebo controlled, Pediatric

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Not Applicable
Interventional Study Model
Parallel Assignment
Masking
ParticipantCare ProviderInvestigator
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
0 (Actual)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
walnut powder
Arm Type
Active Comparator
Arm Description
Subjects will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio into either an active treatment group (final dose 1500 mg walnut protein, n=20) or a placebo group (n=10). Subjects will undergo a one-day desensitization protocol designed to enable the subject to tolerate 6 mg of walnut protein or placebo (initial day escalation phase). After the initial escalation day achieving at least 1.5 mg and up to 6 mg of walnut protein or placebo, dosing build-up will occur every two weeks through dose 24 at 34 weeks. A maintenance dose will be given for 4 weeks followed by a 5 gram protein OFC to walnut and a 5 gram protein OFC to a second tree nut (at ~38 weeks), after which the study will be unblinded.
Arm Title
placebo arm
Arm Type
Placebo Comparator
Arm Description
Subjects will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio into either an active treatment group (final dose 1500 mg walnut protein, n=20) or a placebo group (n=10). Subjects will undergo a one-day desensitization protocol designed to enable the subject to tolerate 6 mg of walnut protein or placebo (initial day escalation phase). After the initial escalation day achieving at least 1.5 mg and up to 6 mg of walnut protein or placebo, dosing build-up will occur every two weeks through dose 24 at 34 weeks. A maintenance dose will be given for 4 weeks followed by a 5 gram protein OFC to walnut and a 5 gram protein OFC to a second tree nut (at ~38 weeks), after which the study will be unblinded. Placebo subjects that fail the OFC will be crossed over to active treatment and escalated as described to the 1500 mg target dose.
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
walnut powder
Other Intervention Name(s)
Greer walnut powder-DMF 12828
Intervention Description
Subjects will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio into either an active treatment group (final dose 1500 mg walnut protein, n=20) or a placebo group (n=10). Subjects will undergo a one-day desensitization protocol designed to enable the subject to tolerate 6 mg of walnut protein or placebo (initial day escalation phase). After the initial escalation day achieving at least 1.5 mg and up to 6 mg of walnut protein or placebo, dosing build-up will occur every two weeks through dose 24 at 34 weeks. A maintenance dose will be given for 4 weeks followed by a 5 gram protein OFC to walnut and a 5 gram protein OFC to a second tree nut (at ~38 weeks), after which the study will be unblinded. Placebo subjects that fail the OFC will be crossed over to active treatment and escalated as described to the 1500 mg target dose.
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
walnut powder
Intervention Description
escalating doses of walnut powder
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
effectiveness of walnut immunotherapy on desensitization to test tree nut or reduction in serum specific IgE
Description
The primary clinical efficacy outcome of the study will be the change from baseline OFC in cumulative dose reached at the desensitization OFC to the test tree nut.
Time Frame
38 weeks
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
The percentage of subjects who reach a cumulative dose of 5000 mg and 2000 mg at the desensitization OFC to walnut and to the test tree nut (desensitization OFC is at ~38 weeks)
Description
1.The percentage of subjects who reach a cumulative dose of 5000 mg and 2000 mg at the desensitization OFC to walnut and to the test tree nut (desensitization OFC is at ~38 weeks)
Time Frame
38 weeks
Title
The percentage of subjects who reach a cumulative dose of 5000 mg and 2000 mg at the desensitization OFC to walnut and to the test tree nut (desensitization OFC is at ~38 weeks)
Description
2.The percentage of subjects that demonstrate clinical tolerance at end of study to walnut and to the test tree nut.
Time Frame
38 weeks
Title
The percentage of subjects who reach a cumulative dose of 5000 mg and 2000 mg at the desensitization OFC to walnut and to the test tree nut (desensitization OFC is at ~38 weeks)
Description
3.The change in immune parameters over time including humoral responses, basophil/effector cell responses, and cytokine responses to tree nuts in cultured cells over time.
Time Frame
38 weeks
Title
The percentage of subjects who reach a cumulative dose of 5000 mg and 2000 mg at the desensitization OFC to walnut and to the test tree nut (desensitization OFC is at ~38 weeks)
Description
4.Incidence of all serious adverse events during the study
Time Frame
38 weeks

10. Eligibility

Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
6 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
21 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Age 6 to 21 years, either sex, any race, any ethnicity with a convincing clinical history of walnut or another tree nut allergy and either a positive prick skin test (>3mm) or serologic evidence of allergic sensitization (defined as specific IgE>0.35 kU/L) to walnut and at least one other tree. A positive <2000 mg protein oral food challenge at enrollment to walnut and to one other tree nut. Written informed consent from participant and/or parent/guardian, including assent where indicated. All females of child-bearing age must be using appropriate birth control or practicing abstinence. Exclusion Criteria: History of severe anaphylaxis to walnut or other tree nuts, defined as symptoms associated with hypoxia, hypotension or neurologic compromise (cyanosis or SpO2<92% at any stage, hypotension, confusion, collapse, loss of consciousness; or incontinence). Known allergy to oat Chronic disease (other than asthma, atopic dermatitis, rhinitis) requiring therapy or other respiratory or medical conditions deemed by the investigator to put subject at increased risk of anaphylaxis or poor outcomes from receiving OIT or undergoing food challenge. Poor control or persistent activation of atopic dermatitis Active eosinophilic or other inflammatory (e.g., celiac) gastrointestinal disease in the past 2 years. Participation in any interventional study for food allergy in the past 6 months Participant is on "build-up phase" of immunotherapy (i.e., has not reached maintenance dosing). Severe asthma (2007 NHLBI Criteria Steps 5 or 6, see Appendix 2) Mild or moderate (2007 NHLBI Criteria Steps 1-4) asthma with any of the following criteria met: FEV1 < 80% of predicted, or FEV1/FVC < 75%, with or without controller medications or ICS dosing of > 500 mcg daily fluticasone (or equivalent inhaled corticosteroids based on NHLBI dosing chart) or History of daily oral steroid dosing for > 1 month during the past year or Burst of oral, IM, or IV steroids for >3 days in the past 6 months for asthma control or > 1 burst of oral, IM or IV steroids in the past year for asthma control or > 1 hospitalization in the past year for asthma or > 1 ER visit in the past 6 months for asthma Inability to discontinue antihistamines for initial day escalation, skin testing or OFC Use of omalizumab or other non-traditional forms of allergen immunotherapy (e.g., oral or sublingual) or immunomodulator therapy (not including corticosteroids) or biologic therapy within the past year Use of beta-blockers (oral), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARB) or calcium channel blockers
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Jonathan M Spergel, MD, PhD
Organizational Affiliation
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
City
Philadelphia
State/Province
Pennsylvania
ZIP/Postal Code
19104
Country
United States

12. IPD Sharing Statement

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Walnut Oral Immunotherapy for Tree Nut Allergy

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