Anti-immunoglobulin E (omalizumab) therapy in allergic asthma

Several large-scale, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials of the anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) monoclonal antibody, rhuMAb-E25 (omalizumab) have demonstrated the benefits of this agent in patients with moderate to severe allergic asthma who remain symptomatic despite treatment with systemic or inhaled corticosteroids. The trials have consistently shown that administration of omalizumab is associated with fewer asthma exacerbations per patient despite significant reductions in corticosteroid dose, stable symptom control despite concomitant reductions in rescue medication use, and improvement in quality of life compared with placebo. In addition, anti-IgE (omalizumab) has been shown to be safe and well tolerated.