[Anti-immunoglobulin E, a monoclonal antibody to treat respiratory disorders].
Omalizumab is a monoclonal antibody that interrupts allergic reaction--irrespective of the nature of the allergen--by blocking free immunoglobulin E (IgE). The IgE is thus prevented from attaching to cell receptors and setting in motion an allergic cascade of inflammatory mediators. Other interesting biological effects of omalizumab are that it downregulates IgE receptor expression on cell membranes and reduces bronchial eosinophilic infiltration. Clinical trials have demonstrated omalizumab's efficacy and safety in treating most allergic disorders. However, given its high cost, omalizumab is generally reserved for more severe cases of asthma and for asthma that responds poorly to conventional treatments.
Cabrera-Navarro
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Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, España. pcabnav@gobiernodecanarias.org
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D000069444:Omalizumab
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C026408:anti-IgE antibodies; D000069444:Omalizumab; D007073:Immunoglobulin E