The Allergy Centre of Excellence (ACE) has expanded its oral immunotherapy (OIT) services with the launch of three new treatment programmes for sunflower seed, kiwi and soy allergies, offering additional options for children and young people living with food allergies.
The new protocols are designed for patients aged 0–19 years and are delivered under the supervision of ACE’s specialist allergy team. Oral immunotherapy involves gradually introducing carefully measured doses of an allergen over time to help increase a patient’s tolerance and reduce the risk of severe reactions following accidental exposure.
For many families, the programmes can provide greater peace of mind by helping protect against reactions caused by trace amounts of allergens or foods carrying “may contain” warnings.
Patients typically attend the clinic every two weeks over a six-month period, with doses administered and monitored in a controlled clinical environment. The new programmes are available at ACE’s London clinic at 10 Duchess Street in the heart of the Harley Street Health District, and patients can self-refer through the centre’s Self-Referral Gateway.
James Gardner, Consultant Nurse in Allergy and Director in Nursing at the Allergy Centre of Excellence, said: “Food allergies can have a significant impact on a child’s daily life and the confidence of their families. By expanding our oral immunotherapy programmes to include sunflower seed, kiwi and soy allergies, we are able to offer more patients the opportunity to build tolerance to foods that can otherwise cause serious reactions. While oral immunotherapy is not a cure, it can be a highly effective way of reducing the risk of accidental reactions and helping children live with greater freedom and confidence.”
Founded by internationally renowned paediatric allergy specialists Professor Adam Fox, Professor Gideon Lack and Professor George Du Toit, ACE has established itself as one of the UK’s leading centres for allergy care and research.
The centre operates from a purpose-built facility that was the UK’s first hospital dedicated to allergy care for both adults and children. Located within the Harley Street Health District, the facility is equipped to provide comprehensive allergy diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management.
Its services include advanced allergy diagnostics, supervised food challenge testing, oral immunotherapy and biologic therapy suites, specialist outpatient consultations, a dedicated day-case unit, onsite pharmacy services and access to clinical trials and emerging treatments.
The centre also works in partnership with the Sadie Bristow Foundation to support access to care for eligible patients.
As food allergy prevalence continues to rise, the expansion of ACE’s oral immunotherapy programme represents a significant step in providing more personalised treatment options for patients and families seeking long-term management of allergic conditions.
For more information about the programmes, visit https://allergycentre.co.uk/
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