Newer aspects in the treatment of pediatric and adult asthma: monoclonal anti-IgE.
OBJECTIVE
To review the results of the first anti-IgE agent to undergo clinical evaluation in the treatment of allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis.


METHODS
Treatment protocols conducted in Europe and the United States in moderate to severe allergic asthmatic patients who continued to show symptoms despite treatment with inhaled corticosteroids with the addition of monoclonal humanized anti-IgE treatment.


METHODS
Double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, published and in press, are reviewed.


RESULTS
Treatment with anti-IgE allowed a decrease in inhaled corticosteroid and rescue medication use and significantly reduced the incidence and frequency of asthma exacerbations among these patients over a 28-week time period and a 6-month extension period.


CONCLUSIONS
Anti-IgE shows great promise as an adjunctive therapy in moderate to severe asthmatic patients.
Lanier
Bobby Q
BQ
North Texas Institute for Clinical Trials and University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas 76132, USA. drboblanier@askbob.com
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000639:trends; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000639:trends; D000069444:Omalizumab; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014481:United States
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000069444:Omalizumab