Rady Children’s Food Allergy Immunotherapy Clinic
New Immunotherapy Introduction Video coming soon. Please check back shortly.
If you are interested in oral immunotherapy (OIT) or sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), please fill out the wait list form below. A member of our team will reach out to you when a spot opens up.
https://www.rchsd.org/immunotherapy-waitlist
Food Allergy Treatment Options
For a long time, the main advice for managing food allergies was avoid the food that triggers your allergy and have medication on hand (like an epinephrine auto-injector) in case of accidental exposure. Over the past several decades, researchers have been exploring a different approach called immunotherapy — a way to desensitize or gradually train your immune system to stop overreacting to a food.
There are three main types of immunotherapies being studied:
- Oral immunotherapy (OIT) – you swallow small, gradually increasing amounts of the food allergen.
- Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) – a very small amount of the allergen is placed under your tongue.
- Epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT) – a patch worn on the skin delivers tiny amounts of the allergen.
The goal of these types of immunotherapy treatments is to lower the chances of severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that requires emergency treatment. OIT is not considered a cure at this time and the patient is not expected to have the ability to consume their allergen in unlimited amounts. If the patient tolerates the initial OIT protocol, increasing doses to reach a more natural inclusion of the allergen in the diet can be considered. Otherwise, the patients should continue to avoid the food(s) that they are allergic to outside of their immunotherapy doses and carry their epinephrine auto-injectors.
OIT can be started at any age, however data suggests that OIT in children ages 3 years old or younger, may be more effective with less side effects. The earlier OIT is started, the higher likelihood for better long-term outcomes.
In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Palforzia, a standardized OIT product for peanut allergy. Rady Children’s Hospital was one of the research sites that helped make Palforzia possible. While the manufacturer of Palforzia is voluntarily discontinuing this product as of July 2026*, clinical immunotherapy to peanut and other foods continues to expand and is increasingly becoming a part of food allergy management.
In 2024, omalizumab (Xolair), an injectable medication, was approved for the treatment of food allergy in children over 1 year of age and adults. This medication had already been approved in 2003 to treat asthma and is also approved for chronic hives and nasal polyps. In studies, omalizumab was shown to reduce allergic reactions to foods, including anaphylaxis.
Ongoing and exciting research is underway to help people with food allergies. An investigational product called Viaskin is currently being evaluated for approval by the FDA as EPIT for peanut allergy. Studies are also looking at immunotherapy for multiple foods at once and/or with the addition of other medications that can alter the immune response, which might make immunotherapy safer and more effective.
Read our list of OIT Frequently Asked Questions below.
Personalized Care
- Customized treatment plan
- Experienced team to offer guidance and support each step of the way
- Supportive community that understands the challenges of living with a food allergy
- Long-term care and support
- Opportunities for engagement
Our Team
Stephanie Leonard, M.D., Director of the Food Allergy Center, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy & Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego
Bethany Teufel-Walkins, Nurse Practitioner
Team members also include LVNs Jenn Daniels and Charisse Moreland.
Resources
American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology
https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/the-current-state-of-oral-immunotherapy
Food Allergy Research and Education
https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/oral-immunotherapy-oit
Results of Food Allergy Clinical Trials
Palforzia (Oral Immunotherapy) Peanut Allergy Clinical Trial
Oral Immunotherapy in Young Children Ages 1-3 years
Omalizumab (Xolair) Food Allergy Clinical Trial
Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) Peanut Allergy Clinical Trial
Viaskin (epicutaneous immunotherapy, or patch) Peanut Allergy Clinical Trial
- Ages 4-11 years old: Effect of Epicutaneous Immunotherapy vs Placebo on Reaction to Peanut Protein Ingestion Among Children With Peanut Allergy (PEPITES clinical trial)
- Ages 4-7 years old: Safety of Epicutaneous Immunotherapy in Peanut-Allergic Children: REALISE Randomized Clinical Trial Results
- Ages 1-3 years old: Efficacy and Safety of Epicutaneous Immunotherapy in Peanut-Allergic Toddlers: Open-Label Extension to EPITOPE
- Summary: Safety and efficacy of epicutaneous immunotherapy with DBV712 (peanut patch) in peanut allergy
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Xolair (omalizumab): Omalizumab (marketed as Xolair) Information | FDA
- Palforzia: PALFORZIA | FDA*
*NOTE: Stallergenes Greer will discontinue the commercialization of Palforzia® [Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Allergen Powder-dnfp] as of July 31, 2026. This voluntary discontinuation is not related to product safety, quality, or efficacy. Stallergenes Greer will continue to meet all regulatory obligations throughout the wind-down period and will support an orderly transition for patients currently receiving therapy. Stallergenes Greer remains committed to patient safety, regulatory compliance, and supporting healthcare professionals and patients during this transition. If you have any questions, please contact your doctor. The Palforzia Pathway Patient Hub will continue supporting patients at 1-844-PALFORZ.