Invited Speaker

Omalizumab in the Management of Patients with Allergic (IgE-Mediated) Asthma
Ramon Mora-Ripoll
Spain


Omalizumab is a humanized monoclonal anti-IgE antibody indicated in Europe for the treatment of uncontrolled severe persistent allergic (IgE-mediated) asthma despite optimal therapy with inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting b2 agonists. Following data observed in clinical trials, current use of omalizumab in real-life settings confirms the marked and clinically relevant effect on (severe) asthma exacerbations, oral and inhaled corticosteroid requirements, and emergency visits, as well as significantly improving asthma-related quality of life and asthma symptom scores. Results from clinical trials in children (<12 years) are consistent with those in the adult population. It is difficult to predict which patients will respond to omalizumab. Responders to omalizumab should be identified after at least a 16-week trial of therapy using the physician’s overall assessment. When treatment is targeted to these responders, omalizumab provides a cost-effective therapy for inadequately controlled severe allergic (IgE-mediated) asthma. Long-term therapy with omalizumab shows the potential for disease-modification in asthma. Ongoing studies are also evaluating the use of omalizumab in other non-asthma IgE-mediated conditions.