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Updated: Jul 31, 2026
08:05
Murine Model of Allergen Induced Asthma
Published on: May 14, 2012
Anti-IgE for chronic asthma
S Walker1, M Monteil, K Phelan
1National Respiratory Training Centre, The Athenaeum, 10 Church Street, Warwick, UK, CV34 4AB.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|August 15, 2003
Summary
Omalizumab effectively reduced free immunoglobulin E (IgE) and helped patients decrease or stop corticosteroid use. This anti-IgE therapy also reduced asthma exacerbations in allergic asthma patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Omalizumab is a monoclonal antibody targeting immunoglobulin E (IgE).
- It inhibits IgE's role in allergic inflammation by preventing binding to effector cells.
- Omalizumab-IgE complexes are small and do not appear to cause immune complex pathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of anti-IgE therapy in patients with allergic asthma.
- To determine if anti-IgE treatment aids in reducing corticosteroid dependency.
- To assess the impact of anti-IgE on asthma exacerbation rates.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized control trials (RCTs) identified via Cochrane Airways Group Asthma trials register.
- Included RCTs examined anti-IgE (Omalizumab) administered via various routes (inhaled, intravenous, subcutaneous).
- Data extraction and quality assessment by two independent reviewers; subgroup analysis by asthma severity.
Main Results:
- Eight trials involving 2037 participants showed Omalizumab significantly reduced free IgE by 98-99%.
- Patients receiving Omalizumab had significantly higher odds of reducing or withdrawing inhaled corticosteroids.
- Omalizumab treatment was associated with a reduced likelihood of asthma exacerbations.
Conclusions:
- Omalizumab is more effective than placebo in enabling patients to reduce or stop inhaled steroids.
- The therapy is effective in decreasing asthma exacerbations and is generally well-tolerated.
- Further research is needed in pediatric and severe adult populations, and direct comparisons with inhaled corticosteroids are warranted.
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