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Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
[Omralizumab (Xolair) in severe persistent allergic asthma]
F Schleich1, M Manise, R Louis
1Service de Pneumologie, CHU de Liège, Belgique.
Abstract:
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airways disease. The inflammatory process is in many patients driven by an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-dependent process. Patients with severe asthma are at high risk of serious exacerbations and death and have few therapeutic options available. Omalizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that acts by binding to and inhibiting the effects of IgE, thereby interfering with one aspect of the asthma cascade. In addition to decreasing exacerbations, it has a steroid sparing role and many beneficial effects in asthma. As suggested by the new asthma GINA 2006 guidelines, this biological agent is indicated in severe persistent allergic asthma.
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