Two-thirds of toddlers with peanut allergy had improved tolerance when treated with epicutaneous immunotherapy, according to results from an international study involving Australian children.

After 12 months, 64% of children given the skin patch containing 250µg of peanut protein could tolerate a 1000mg food challenge, regardless of baseline severity, compared to just 30% of those given placebo.

Researchers led by Dr Matthew Greenhawt, from the Children’s Hospital Colorado in the US, also report promising safety outcomes after just four children developed treatment-related anaphylaxis.

Their phase III trial — funded by DBV Technologies — included 362 toddlers who were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to the peanut immunotherapy or placebo administered daily for a year; only 307 participants completed the trial.