[Anti-IgE therapy in persistent allergic asthma]

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of airways. Approximately 40% of asthma cases can be attributed to atopy. An increased immunoglobulin E (IgE) production is the strongest predisposing factor for the development of asthma. IgE is a key component of asthma pathophysiology and contributes to both the early- and late-phase inflammatory cascade in the airways. Omalizumab is a recombinant anti-IgE monoclonal antibody developed for the treatment of allergic diseases associated with high circulating IgE levels. By reducing serum IgE levels, as well as FceRI and FceRII receptor expression on inflammatory cells, omalizumab inhibits development of inflammatory cascade. Omalizumab is currently the only IgE-targeted therapy approved by EMEA (European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products) and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for asthma treatment. It is efficacious in the treatment of moderate-to-severe and severe persistent allergic asthma poorly controlled with regular treatment. The drug reduces symptoms, exacerbations, emergency visits, hospitalizations, inhaled and systemic corticosteroid and rescue medication requirements and improves quality of life.