Omalizumab in the treatment of asthma

Abstract

Omalizumab was introduced in 2003 and is the first asthma drug to target IgE, the allergic antibody that initiates the allergic cascade. Well-controlled studies and post-marketing clinical experience have shown it to be an effective and safe medication. Treatment guidelines now recommend omalizumab as an add-on option for patients with moderate-to-severe allergic asthma uncontrolled on high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β-agonists. Despite initial concerns, there is no evidence of any association with malignancy at this time. In our opinion, omalizumab is well-tolerated and significantly improves pulmonary function, decreases clinical symptoms and improves the quality of life in patients with uncontrolled allergic asthma.

Keywords::

• anti-IgE
• asthma
• IgE
• monoclonal antibody
• omalizumab

Financial & competing interests disclosure

J Corren is a recipient of grant support for clinical research from Novartis and Genentech and fees for lectureship from Genentech. The authors have no other 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 apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.