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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Murine Model of Allergen Induced Asthma
Published on: May 14, 2012
Effect of omalizumab on adenosine 5'-monophosphate responsiveness in subjects with allergic asthma
L Prieto1, V Gutiérrez, C Colás
1Sección de Alergología, Hospital Universitario Dr. Peset, Valencia, Spain. prieto_jes@gva.es
Background:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of omalizumab on bronchoconstriction induced by methacholine and adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP).
Methods:
Thirty-four subjects with mild to moderate allergic asthma were randomized to receive placebo (n = 16) or omalizumab (n = 18) subcutaneously during 12 weeks. Airway responsiveness to AMP was measured at baseline and after 4 and 12 weeks of treatment, whereas the response to methacholine was measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment.
Results:
After 4 weeks of treatment, the increase in AMP PC(20) (provocative concentration required to produce a 20% fall in FEV(1)) was significantly greater in the omalizumab group than in the placebo group, the mean difference in the change between the groups being 1.52 doubling concentrations (95% CI, 0.25-2.79, p = 0.02). Compared with baseline, the mean AMP PC(20) values at 12 weeks were increased by 1.91 doubling concentrations with omalizumab (p < 0.001) and 1.01 doubling concentrations with placebo (p = 0.16), but changes were not significantly different between the treatment groups. Changes in methacholine PC(20) values were not significantly different between the omalizumab and placebo groups.
Conclusions:
In subjects with allergic asthma, omalizumab reduces the response to AMP without decreasing the response to methacholine. These findings are consistent with the conclusion that the contribution of IgE to the development of AMP bronchoconstriction is more important than their role in the induction of methacholine hyperresponsiveness.
Insights
Omalizumab reduced airway hyperresponsiveness to adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) in allergic asthma patients. However, it did not significantly alter the response to methacholine, suggesting IgE’s greater role in AMP-induced bronchoconstriction.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Allergic asthma is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness.
- Investigating the role of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in asthma pathophysiology is crucial.
- Omalizumab is a monoclonal antibody targeting IgE.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of omalizumab in mitigating bronchoconstriction.
- To differentiate the effects of omalizumab on methacholine- and adenosine 5 -monophosphate (AMP)-induced airway responses.
Main Methods:
- A 12-week randomized controlled trial involving 34 subjects with mild to moderate allergic asthma.
- Participants received either omalizumab (n=18) or placebo (n=16) subcutaneously.
- Airway responsiveness to AMP and methacholine was measured at baseline and follow-up visits.
Main Results:
- Omalizumab significantly increased AMP provocative concentration (PC20) after 4 weeks compared to placebo.
- While AMP PC20 increased with omalizumab at 12 weeks, the difference between groups was not significant.
- No significant differences in methacholine PC20 were observed between omalizumab and placebo groups.
Conclusions:
- Omalizumab effectively reduces airway response to AMP in allergic asthma.
- The study suggests IgE plays a more significant role in AMP-induced bronchoconstriction than in methacholine hyperresponsiveness.
- Findings support targeted IgE inhibition for specific asthma phenotypes.
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