Eur Respir J 2001; 18:254-261
Copyright ©ERS Journals Ltd 2001
The anti-IgE antibody omalizumab reduces exacerbations and steroid requirement in allergic asthmatics
M. Solèr1,
J. Matz2,
R. Townley3,
R. Buhl4,
J. O'Brien5,
H. Fox6,
J. Thirlwell6,
N. Gupta7 and
G. Della Cioppa6
1 Pulmonary Division, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland, 2 Atlantic Asthma & Allergy Center Inc., Baltimore, USA, 3 Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, USA, 4 Johannes-Gutenberg-Universitat III, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Mainz, Germany, 5 City Park Medical Centre, Capetown, South Africa, 6 Novartis Horsham Research Centre, Horsham, England, 7 Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, USA
CORRESPONDENCE: M. Solèr, Pulmonary Division, University Hospital, Petersgraben 4, CH-4031, Basel, Switzerland. Fax: 41 612654587
Keywords: airway inflammation, allergic asthma, anti-allergic drugs, anti-immunoglobulin-E antibody, immunoglobulin-E, omalizumab
Received: October 26, 2000
Accepted April 5, 2001
This study was supported by Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland, and Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
The clinical benefit and steroid-sparing effect of treatment with the anti-immunoglobulin-E (IgE) antibody, omalizumab, was assessed in patients with moderate-to-severe allergic asthma.
After a run-in period, 546 allergic asthmatics (aged 1276 yrs), symptomatic despite inhaled corticosteroids (5001,200 µg daily of beclomethasone dipropionate), were randomized to receive double-blind either placebo or omalizumab every 2 or 4 weeks (depending on body weight and serum total IgE) subcutaneously for 7 months. A constant beclomethasone dose was maintained during a 16-week stable-steroid phase and progressively reduced to the lowest dose required for asthma control over the following 8 weeks. The latter dose was maintained for the next 4 weeks. Asthma exacerbations represented the primary variable.
Compared to the placebo group, the omalizumab group showed 58% fewer exacerbations per patient during the stable-steroid phase (p<0.001). During the steroid-reduction phase, there were 52% fewer exacerbations in the omalizumab group versus the placebo group (p<0.001) despite the greater reduction of the beclomethasone dosage on omalizumab (p<0.001). Treatment with omalizumab was well tolerated. The incidence of adverse events was similar in both groups.
These results indicate that omalizumab therapy safely improves asthma control in allergic asthmatics who remain symptomatic despite regular use of inhaled corticosteroids and simultaneous reduction in corticosteroid requirement.
This article has been cited by other articles:

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. Massanari, H. Milgrom, S. Pollard, R.J. Maykut, F. Kianifard, A. Fowler-Taylor, G.P. Geba, and R.K. Zeldin
Adding Omalizumab to the Therapy of Adolescents With Persistent Uncontrolled Moderate--Severe Allergic Asthma
Clinical Pediatrics,
October 1, 2009;
48(8):
859 - 865.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. E. Wechsler, D. A. Wong, M. K. Miller, and L. Lawrence-Miyasaki
Churg-Strauss Syndrome in Patients Treated With Omalizumab
Chest,
August 1, 2009;
136(2):
507 - 518.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
C. H. Fanta
Asthma
N. Engl. J. Med.,
March 5, 2009;
360(10):
1002 - 1014.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
G. Pelaia, T. Renda, P. Romeo, M. T. Busceti, and R. Maselli
Review: Omalizumab in the treatment of severe asthma: efficacy and current problems
Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease,
December 1, 2008;
2(6):
409 - 421.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. M. LANG
New asthma guidelines emphasize control, regular monitoring
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine,
September 1, 2008;
75(9):
641 - 653.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. Bousquet, U. Wahn, E. O. Meltzer, H. Fox, S. Hedgecock, K. Thomas, and A. Fowler-Taylor
Omalizumab: an anti-immunoglobulin E antibody for the treatment of allergic respiratory diseases
Eur. Respir. Rev.,
April 1, 2008;
17(107):
1 - 9.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
N. A. Hanania
Targeting Airway Inflammation in Asthma: Current and Future Therapies
Chest,
April 1, 2008;
133(4):
989 - 998.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
C. von Garnier, M. E. Wikstrom, G. Zosky, D. J. Turner, P. D. Sly, M. Smith, J. A. Thomas, S. R. Judd, D. H. Strickland, P. G. Holt, et al.
Allergic Airways Disease Develops after an Increase in Allergen Capture and Processing in the Airway Mucosa
J. Immunol.,
November 1, 2007;
179(9):
5748 - 5759.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
E. Hamelmann
The rationale for treating allergic asthma with anti-IgE
Eur. Respir. Rev.,
September 1, 2007;
16(104):
61 - 66.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. Buhl
Anti-IgE: lessons from clinical trials in patients with severe allergic asthma symptomatic despite optimised therapy
Eur. Respir. Rev.,
September 1, 2007;
16(104):
73 - 77.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. T. Holgate
How to evaluate a patient's response to anti-IgE
Eur. Respir. Rev.,
September 1, 2007;
16(104):
78 - 84.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
L. Hendeles and C. A Sorkness
Anti-Immunoglobulin E Therapy with Omalizumab for Asthma
Ann. Pharmacother.,
September 1, 2007;
41(9):
1397 - 1410.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
G. Gomez, S. Jogie-Brahim, M. Shima, and L. B. Schwartz
Omalizumab Reverses the Phenotypic and Functional Effects of IgE-Enhanced Fc{epsilon}RI on Human Skin Mast Cells
J. Immunol.,
July 15, 2007;
179(2):
1353 - 1361.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. E. Wechsler, J.-A. O. Shepard, and E. J. Mark
Case 15-2007 -- A 20-Year-Old Woman with Asthma and Cardiorespiratory Arrest
N. Engl. J. Med.,
May 17, 2007;
356(20):
2083 - 2091.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
E. M. Erin, O. M. Kon, P. J. Barnes, and T. T. Hansel
Study of Infliximab Treatment in Asthma
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
January 15, 2007;
175(2):
196a - 197.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. Kraft, C. B. Cairns, M. C. Ellison, J. Pak, C. Irvin, and S. Wenzel
Improvements in Distal Lung Function Correlate With Asthma Symptoms After Treatment With Oral Montelukast
Chest,
December 1, 2006;
130(6):
1726 - 1732.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. C. Strunk and G. R. Bloomberg
Omalizumab for asthma.
N. Engl. J. Med.,
June 22, 2006;
354(25):
2689 - 2695.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
W D Carroll, W Lenney, F Child, R C Strange, P W Jones, M K Whyte, R A Primhak, and A A Fryer
Asthma severity and atopy: how clear is the relationship?
Arch. Dis. Child.,
May 1, 2006;
91(5):
405 - 409.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
A. Bosco, K. L. McKenna, C. J. Devitt, M. J. Firth, P. D. Sly, and P. G. Holt
Identification of novel th2-associated genes in T memory responses to allergens.
J. Immunol.,
April 15, 2006;
176(8):
4766 - 4777.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
P. Marcus
Incorporating Anti-IgE (Omalizumab) Therapy Into Pulmonary Medicine Practice: Practice Management Implications.
Chest,
February 1, 2006;
129(2):
466 - 474.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
Immunotherapy
Can. Med. Assoc. J.,
September 13, 2005;
173(6_suppl):
S46 - S50.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. R. Littner, F. W. Leung, E. D. Ballard II, B. Huang, N. K. Samra, and on behalf of the Lansoprazole Asthma Study Group
Effects of 24 Weeks of Lansoprazole Therapy on Asthma Symptoms, Exacerbations, Quality of Life, and Pulmonary Function in Adult Asthmatic Patients With Acid Reflux Symptoms
Chest,
September 1, 2005;
128(3):
1128 - 1135.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. Djukanovic, S. J. Wilson, M. Kraft, N. N. Jarjour, M. Steel, K. F. Chung, W. Bao, A. Fowler-Taylor, J. Matthews, W. W. Busse, et al.
Effects of Treatment with Anti-immunoglobulin E Antibody Omalizumab on Airway Inflammation in Allergic Asthma
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
September 15, 2004;
170(6):
583 - 593.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. D. Sin, J. Man, H. Sharpe, W. Q. Gan, and S. F. P. Man
Pharmacological Management to Reduce Exacerbations in Adults With Asthma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
JAMA,
July 21, 2004;
292(3):
367 - 376.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
L. A Davis
Omalizumab: A Novel Therapy for Allergic Asthma
Ann. Pharmacother.,
July 1, 2004;
38(7):
1236 - 1242.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. Bousquet, S. Wenzel, S. Holgate, W. Lumry, P. Freeman, and H. Fox
Predicting Response to Omalizumab, an Anti-IgE Antibody, in Patients With Allergic Asthma
Chest,
April 1, 2004;
125(4):
1378 - 1386.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
P. E. Silkoff, F. A. Romero, N. Gupta, R. G. Townley, and H. Milgrom
Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Children With Asthma Receiving Xolair (Omalizumab), a Monoclonal Anti-Immunoglobulin E Antibody
Pediatrics,
April 1, 2004;
113(4):
e308 - e312.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
G. Hanf, O. Noga, A. O'Connor, and G. Kunkel
Omalizumab inhibits allergen challenge-induced nasal response
Eur. Respir. J.,
March 1, 2004;
23(3):
414 - 419.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R H Green, C E Brightling, I D Pavord, and A J Wardlaw
Management of asthma in adults: current therapy and future directions
Postgrad. Med. J.,
May 1, 2003;
79(931):
259 - 267.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
H. A. Boushey
New and Exploratory Therapies for Asthma
Chest,
March 1, 2003;
123
(2009):
439S - 445S.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
H Milgrom
Is there a role for treatment of asthma with omalizumab?
Arch. Dis. Child.,
January 1, 2003;
88(1):
71 - 74.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. Buhl, G. Hanf, M. Soler, G. Bensch, J. Wolfe, F. Everhard, K. Champain, H. Fox, and J. Thirlwell
The anti-IgE antibody omalizumab improves asthma-related quality of life in patients with allergic asthma
Eur. Respir. J.,
November 1, 2002;
20(5):
1088 - 1094.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
W. Phipatanakul
The Anti-IgE Antibody Omalizumab Reduces Exacerbations and Steroid Requirement in Sallergic Asthmatics
Pediatrics,
August 1, 2002;
110(2):
464 - 465.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
C M Richardson, A R L Medford, and R H Green
British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting 2001
Thorax,
April 1, 2002;
57(4):
286 - 288.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
B. Mazer
Omalizumab reduced inhaled corticosteroid use and exacerbations in childhood allergic asthma
Evid. Based Med.,
January 1, 2002;
7(1):
12 - 12.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
P.J. Barnes
Scientific rationale for inhaled combination therapy with long-acting {beta}2-agonists and corticosteroids
Eur. Respir. J.,
January 1, 2002;
19(1):
182 - 191.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
T. B. Casale, J. Condemi, C. LaForce, A. Nayak, M. Rowe, M. Watrous, M. McAlary, A. Fowler-Taylor, A. Racine, N. Gupta, et al.
Effect of Omalizumab on Symptoms of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
JAMA,
December 19, 2001;
286(23):
2956 - 2967.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
P. Chanez
Immunological intervention with anti-immunoglobulin-E antibody to prevent asthma exacerbations
Eur. Respir. J.,
August 1, 2001;
18(2):
249 - 250.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|
Copyright © 2001 by the European Respiratory Society.
|