title: Anti-IgE therapy of asthma.
abstract: There is a strong association between serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and asthma development. Allergen binds to IgE on basophils and mast cells, leading to cell degranulation and release of inflammatory mediators. A humanized antibody to IgE that reduces circulating free IgE, omalizumab (Genentech Inc/Novartis AG/Tanox Inc), inhibits the early- and late-phase response to allergen. In clinical trials of moderate-to-severe asthma, omalizumab allowed a reduction in oral and inhaled corticosteroids while improving peakflows and reducing exacerbations, particularly in patients at high risk of serious asthma-related morbidity. Omalizumab is a useful addition to the treatment armamentarium for patients with moderate-to-severe asthma.
authors.affiliation: National Heart & Lung Institute, London, UK. f.chung@ic.ac.uk
authors.forename: K Fan
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000494:pharmacology; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000502:physiology*; D000069444:Omalizumab; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000187:drug effects; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D000069444:Omalizumab; D007073:Immunoglobulin E