Specific Oral Tolerance Induction (SOTI) to Children With IgE-mediated Wheat Allergy

This is an observational pilot study investigating the effectiveness, safety and specific immunological mechanisms of Specific Oral Tolerance Induction (SOTI) in children with IgE-mediated wheat allergy. The study will include 10 patients with persistent IgE-mediated allergy to wheat, who will undergo 1-year home SOTI. Moreover, 5 patients with IgE-mediated allergy to wheat will be followed for 1-year period after their diagnosis, without any intervention. Well-cooked wheat spaghetti will be given daily to patients with a programmed weekly dose increment for 27 weeks (up-dosing phase). Subsequently, wheat protein maintenance dose will be received daily for additional 6 months (maintenance phase), while afterwards patients will be clinically assessed and a 2nd OFC at a higher cumulative dose of wheat protein will be performed, in order to assess patients' desensitization to wheat. Skin Prick Tests (SPTs) to wheat, blood sampling for the determination of total IgE, wheat specific IgEs and wheat Basophil Activation Test (BAT) will be performed at baseline, when patients reach the maintenance dose and before the 2nd OFC. Regarding historical control group the same testing will be performed at baseline and at re-evaluation (post 12 months).