Efficacy and effectiveness of omalizumab in the treatment of childhood asthma

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Omalizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds and inhibits free serum immunoglobulin E, a mediator involved in the clinical manifestations of allergic asthma. Evidence for its efficacy and safety in the treatment of moderate–to-severe allergic asthma is based primarily on studies in adolescents and adults. However, there is increasing evidence of its utility in children with allergic asthma aged 6–12 years.

Areas covered: This article reviews efficacy, safety, and effectiveness of omalizumab in the treatment of moderate-to-severe allergic asthma in children aged 6–12 years in clinical trials and in studies in clinical practice. Pharmacoeconomic aspects of its use among this population and the positioning of omalizumab in pediatric asthma management guidelines are also discussed. Additionally, an algorithm for the management of poorly controlled severe pediatric asthma in children older than 6 years is proposed. Electronic databases, such as PubMed, were searched for terms Asthma and Omalizumab and for asthma management guidelines.

Expert commentary: Add-on omalizumab is an effective maintenance therapy in children aged 6–12 years with poorly controlled moderate-to-severe allergic asthma treated with medium–high inhaled corticosteroids doses and inhaled long-acting β2-agonists. Omalizumab appears safe in children in both clinical trials and real-life setting and may be cost-effective.

KEYWORDS:

• Asthma
• omalizumab
• pediatrics
• anti-IgE antibodies
• cost-effective

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Pablo Rivas and Dr. Apostolos Paul Karagounis who provided writing support on behalf of Springer Healthcare, and Dr. Alejandro López Neyra and Dr. José Valverde Molina their collaboration in the elaboration of the algorithm of Figure 1.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This manuscript received funding from Novartis, Spain.