0000000000267380
AUTHOR
Howard Fox
Omalizumab provides long-term control in patients with moderate-to-severe allergic asthma.
The ability of omalizumab, an anti-immnoglobulin-E agent, to maintain long-term disease control in patients with moderate-to-severe allergic asthma was investigated in a 24-week double-blind extension to a 28-week core trial. During the extension, 483 of the initial 546 patients were maintained on randomised treatment and the lowest sustainable dose of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) as established during the steroid-reduction phase of the core trial. The use of concomitant asthma medication was permitted and investigators were allowed to adjust the BDP dose or switch patients from BDP to other asthma medications if deemed necessary. More omalizumab-treated patients (33.5%) than placebo-t…
The effect of treatment with omalizumab, an anti-IgE antibody, on asthma exacerbations and emergency medical visits in patients with severe persistent asthma
Background: Patients with severe persistent asthma who are inadequately controlled despite treatment according to current asthma management guidelines have a significant unmet medical need. Such patients are at high risk of serious exacerbations and asthma-related mortality. Methods: Here, we pooled data from seven studies to determine the effect of omalizumab, an anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) monoclonal antibody, on asthma exacerbations in patients with severe persistent asthma. Omalizumab was added to current asthma therapy and compared with placebo (in five double-blind studies) or with current asthma therapy alone (in two open-label studies). The studies included 4308 patients (2511 tre…
Efficacy and tolerability of anti-immunoglobulin E therapy with omalizumab in patients with concomitant allergic asthma and persistent allergic rhinitis: SOLAR
Background: Anti-IgE therapy could be particularly beneficial for patients with concomitant disease as it targets a common factor in both diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of omalizumab in patients with concomitant moderate-to-severe asthma and persistent allergic rhinitis. Methods: This multicentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebocontrolled trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of omalizumab. A total of 405 patients (12–74 years) with a stable treatment (‡ 400 lg budesonide Turbuhaler � )a nd‡ 2 unscheduled medical visits for asthma during the past year or ‡ 3 during the past 2 years were enrolled. Patients received omalizumab (‡ 0.…
Improvement in quality of life with omalizumab in patients with severe allergic asthma.
Patients with severe persistent asthma experience daily symptoms and frequent serious exacerbations that contribute to a significant impairment of health-related quality of life (QoL).A pooled analysis was completed of six controlled clinical trials that evaluated the effect of add-on omalizumab on asthma-related QoL in patients with severe persistent allergic (IgE-mediated) asthma. Asthma-related QoL was assessed at baseline and treatment endpoint using the well-validated Juniper Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ). Change from baseline in AQLQ total score was compared between treatments using analysis of covariance methods. The percentage of patients who achieved a clinically mean…