Long-term use of omalizumab in patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: a tertiary-level care center experience

Abstract

Introduction

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a lung disease caused by a hypersensitivity reaction to antigens of Aspergillus fumigatus.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of omalizumab use in patients with ABPA.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 12 patients diagnosed with ABPA and receiving omalizumab for at least 2 years, and 32 patients diagnosed with severe allergic asthma and receiving omalizumab for at least 2 years (control group) were evaluated.

Results

Evaluation was made of a total of 44 participants, comprising 11 (25%) males and 33 (75%) females, who received omalizumab for at least 2 years with the diagnosis of the control group (n = 32) and ABPA (n = 12). The increase in asthma control test (ACT) score after omalizumab was significant at 12 months and at 24 months in patients with ABPA. After omalizumab, the use of oral corticosteroid (OCS), the annual number of asthma attacks and hospitalizations were significantly decreased at 12 months and at 24 months in patients with ABPA. The increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (%) and ACT score after omalizumab were significant at 12 months and at 24 months in the control group. After omalizumab, the use of OCS, annual number of asthma attacks and hospitalizations were significantly decreased at 12 months and at 24 months in the control group.

Conclusion

Long-term omalizumab use in patients with ABPA seems to be an effective treatment for improving pulmonary function and reducing asthma exacerbations and hospitalizations.

Keywords:

• Omalizumab
• asthma
• anti-IgE
• anti-asthmatic agents
• allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The authors have no funding sources to report.