Allergen desensitization method

A method for epicutaneous desensitization of a subject allergic to peanut, the method comprising:

• a) epicutaneously exposing the subject to a peanut allergen and generating an immune reaction in the subject by applying a dose of the peanut allergen onto an intact region of skin of the subject, wherein:
• i) the peanut allergen is applied by a first cutaneous occlusive device,
• ii) the first cutaneous occlusive device is configured to ensure contact between the allergen and the region of skin, and
• iii) said dose of peanut allergen is comprised between 0.1 and 1,000 μg/cm2 of a surface area of the first cutaneous occlusive device;
• b) removing the first cutaneous occlusive device at an amount of time after application of the first cutaneous occlusive device, and
• c) applying the same or different dose of the peanut allergen onto the same or different intact region of skin of the subject to sustain the immune reaction in the subject, wherein:
• i) the same or different dose of the peanut allergen is applied by an additional cutaneous occlusive device;
• ii) the additional cutaneous occlusive device is configured to ensure contact between the allergen and the region of skin, and
• iii) said same or different dose of peanut allergen is comprised between 0.1 and 1,000 μg/cm2 of a surface area of the additional cutaneous occlusive device;
• d) optionally repeating steps b) and c) at least one additional time;
• and
• e) optionally, wherein the amount of time after which the first cutaneous occlusive device is removed is about 6 to 72 hours.