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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
Omalizumab for the treatment of severe allergic asthma
Andrew Menzies-Gow1, Kian Fan Chung
1Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust and National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NP, UK. a.menzies-gow@rbht.nhs.uk
Abstract:
Omalizumab is the first of a new generation of targeted asthma therapies. This monoclonal antibody against IgE is now licensed for use in atopic asthma. The majority of asthmatics are well controlled with conventional therapies. However, there remains a cohort of patients with severe refractory asthma, despite currently available treatments ( approximately 5-10% of asthmatics), which account for approximately 50% of direct expenditure on asthma care. This article examines the evidence for both clinical and cost-effectiveness of omalizumab in patients with severe asthma and gives a 5-year view on the likely role of omalizumab in clinical practice.
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