Omalizumab as Effective as Multifood Oral Immunotherapy for Individuals with Food Allergy
Individuals with allergies to one to three foods may be able to safely incorporate those foods back into their diet after treatment with omalizumab or multifood oral immunotherapy (mOIT), according to research presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting, held February 27 to March 2, 2026, in Philadelphia, PA.
Study Details and Findings
Researchers, led by R. Sharon Chinthrajah, M.D., from Stanford University in California, investigated the feasibility of maintaining dietary consumption (DC) after approximately 52 weeks of treatment with either mOIT or omalizumab. The study included 29 participants treated with mOIT and 51 participants treated with omalizumab, all of whom had allergies to one to three foods.
The study utilized daily food diaries to assess DC plan success, defined as consuming at least 300 mg/day of the allergenic foods. Results showed no significant differences in success rates between the two treatment groups at three and six months for all foods studied (77% and 65% after mOIT; 66% and 63% after omalizumab). Similar outcomes were observed for individual allergens, including peanut (77% and 65% after mOIT; 67% and 60% after omalizumab).
Evaluations by the study team revealed no differences in success rates at three, six, nine, or 12 months, either across all foods or for individual allergens. Safety profiles were also comparable between the groups, with similar proportions of patients experiencing any adverse event (86% after mOIT and 93% after omalizumab).
Expert Commentary
“After approximately one year of treatment with either omalizumab facilitated multifood oral immunotherapy or omalizumab alone, more than 60% of participants were successfully eating their allergenic foods regularly,” stated Dr. Chinthrajah. “Both treatment approaches appear to open a pathway to dietary inclusion with comparable safety, and success.”
Implications for Food Allergy Management
These findings suggest that omalizumab may be a viable alternative to mOIT for individuals seeking to overcome food allergies. Both approaches demonstrate a potential to improve quality of life by allowing patients to safely reintroduce allergenic foods into their diets.
About the AAAI Annual Meeting
The AAAAI Annual Meeting is a premier educational event for allergists and immunologists, attracting thousands of delegates each year. The 2026 meeting, held in Philadelphia, PA, focused on “Advancing Precision Medicine from Discovery to Patient Care.”
Disclaimer: This article is based on information presented at a medical conference and may not reflect final clinical recommendations.