Biologicals in Treatment of Chronic Urticaria: A Narrative Review

Chronic urticaria is a common inflammatory skin disease affecting around 0.5-1% of the world's population. The disease has a chronic indolent course which significantly affects the patient's quality of life. Urticaria pathogenesis involves cross-linking of immunoglobulin E (IgE) on mast cells causing degranulation which occurs by various pathways which leads to development of wheals and angioedema. The first-line treatment for chronic urticaria is non-sedating second-generation H1 antihistamines (AHs). After the advent of anti-IgE monoclonal antibody omalizumab, the response rate in resistant urticaria has improved significantly without any major adverse events. Other biologicals such as anti-IgE, anti-IL-5, anti-IL-1, anti-IL-17, and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies are under trial. These biologicals have better efficacy and safety profile as compared to conventional immunosuppressants. Even with the advances in the last decade, recurrence after stopping the therapy is common, and there is a need for better understanding of the pathogenesis and the drugs acting on the key pathways involved in urticaria. In this review, we provide the role of several biologicals in the treatment of chronic urticaria.