Largest-ever trial aimed at finding cure to nut allergies launched

Researchers in Cambridge have launched a £1 million government-funded trial to find a cure for peanut allergies.

The study will see researchers give 104 children increasing doses of peanut protein, up to the equivalent of five nuts a day.

It follows earlier research indicating the allergy can be overcome by gradually building up tolerance using small amounts of peanut protein.

The original findings, which found 20 out of 23 sufferers were able to eat more than 30 peanuts safely, are the most promising yet in the search to find a long-term treatment to the allergy.

Researchers at the Addenbrookes hospital in Cambridge have claimed the treatment may be available within a couple of years, but warned against people attempting their own versions.

Andrew Clark, a consultant in paediatric allergy at the hospital, said: “Our real motivation is to try to develop this as a clinical treatment that we could spread to the rest of the country.”

The trial has been funded by the Department of Health and will involve over 100 seven to 17-year-olds.