Breakthrough Asthma Drug Zileuton Shows Promise Against Allergies

A new study reveals that the asthma medication Zileuton could significantly reduce the risk of life-threatening allergic reactions in humans. This breakthrough offers hope for millions who suffer from food allergies, a condition that affects approximately one in ten people globally.

Researchers at Northwestern University in Illinois found that Zileuton, which is available by prescription in the UK and was recently approved in the United States, effectively blocked allergic reactions to food in animal models. The study demonstrated that mice previously at a 95 percent risk of anaphylaxis achieved a similar rate of protection after treatment with the medication. Following these promising results, a clinical trial has been initiated to assess the drug’s efficacy in humans.

The research, published in the journal Science, uncovered a previously unrecognized function of the DPEP1 gene, which plays a crucial role in regulating anaphylaxis. By blocking the pathway associated with this gene, the research team was able to nearly eliminate allergic responses in mice that were highly susceptible to food-induced anaphylaxis. The mice were administered peanut extract after receiving Zileuton, with the team closely monitoring for any allergic symptoms.

Dr. Stephanie Eisenbarth, co-senior author of the study from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, expressed surprise at the drug’s effectiveness. She noted, “It was actually shocking how well Zileuton worked.” The discovery of the new pathway emerged after years of genetic screening aimed at identifying specific genes linked to biological variations, such as food allergy susceptibility.

Food allergies are on the rise, with limited treatment options currently available. Presently, there are only two approved therapies for certain food allergies. One is an oral immunotherapy for peanut allergy, which is not universally effective and carries its own risks of triggering anaphylaxis. The other treatment, omalizumab, is a costly injection that may not work for all patients.

In contrast, Zileuton represents a straightforward oral treatment that offers temporary protection by blocking the anaphylactic pathway before it can be activated. Professor Williams from the research team emphasized the innovative nature of this approach: “This is a totally different, out-of-the-box approach to treat food allergy, unlike anything we’ve tried before.”

As food allergies often lead to tragic and even fatal reactions, the potential for a protective drug like Zileuton could significantly improve the quality of life for allergy sufferers. This is especially pertinent for individuals in situations where they cannot control their food intake, such as at social events or while traveling.

The Northwestern team commenced a small clinical trial in July 2023 to evaluate whether the effects observed in mice can be replicated in humans. Their findings also provide insights into why some individuals may test positive for food allergens without experiencing any symptoms.

Dr. Eisenbarth explained, “Let’s say you’re told you’re allergic to peanuts based on a blood test, but you’ve eaten peanuts your whole life without any problems. This pathway we discovered may be one explanation for why some of those people are protected.”

This research opens new avenues for understanding the development of food allergies and the mechanisms behind individual variations in allergic responses. Dr. Eisenbarth remarked, “If you’d asked me five or six years ago to guess the pathway that would lead to this discovery, I never would have picked this gene or the leukotriene molecules.”

As the clinical trials progress, the scientific community and allergy sufferers alike await further developments that could redefine the landscape of food allergy treatment. The implications of this research extend beyond mere treatment, potentially leading to a greater understanding of how allergies develop and why they affect individuals differently.