Combination of omalizumab and specific immunotherapy is superior to immunotherapy in patients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and co-morbid seasonal allergic asthma

Summary Background The treatment of allergic asthma by specific immunotherapy (SIT) is hampered by potential side-effects. Objective The aim of this study was to study the effect of omalizumab, a monoclonal anti-IgE antibody, in combination with SIT in patients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SAR) and co-morbid seasonal allergic asthma (SAA) incompletely controlled by conventional pharmacotherapy. Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centre trial was performed to assess the efficacy and safety of omalizumab (Xolair®) vs. placebo in combination with depigmented SIT (Depigoid®) during the grass pollen season. Omalizumab or placebo was started 2 weeks befor…