[New drugs; omalizumab]
A F Cohen1, E A Dubois, H van Bronswijk
1Centre for Human Drug Research, Leiden. ac@chdr.nl
Omalizumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody that binds to circulating IgE, inhibiting its binding to the surface of mast cells and basophilic granulocytes. This prevents the release of pro-inflammatory mediators that produce an allergic response. This targeted mechanism of action provides a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of patients with severe persistent, therapy-resistant allergic asthma. Omalizumab is administered subcutaneously in addition to other anti-asthma therapy. Until recently, the most important side effects are skin reactions at the site of administration and headache. Prospective data on additional long-term side effects are still being collected.
Omalizumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody that binds to circulating IgE, inhibiting its binding to the surface of mast cells and basophilic granulocytes. This prevents the release of pro-inflammatory mediators that produce an allergic response. This targeted mechanism of action provides a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of patients with severe persistent, therapy-resistant allergic asthma. Omalizumab is administered subcutaneously in addition to other anti-asthma therapy. Until recently, the most important side effects are skin reactions at the site of administration and headache. Prospective data on additional long-term side effects are still being collected.
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