title: Efficacy of omalizumab in cat-allergic patients with moderate-to-severe persistent asthma.
abstract: Cat allergen (Fel d 1) is a pervasive and common trigger of exacerbations in sensitized patients with IgE-mediated asthma. This study was designed to evaluate the effect on asthma-related outcome measures of adding omalizumab to current treatment in patients with moderate-to-severe persistent asthma and cat allergen sensitivity. A pooled analysis was conducted of two double-blind, placebo-controlled, 28-week pivotal U.S. registration trials. In all patients, asthma was inadequately controlled with moderate-high dose inhaled corticosteroids. Patients were randomized to receive subcutaneous omalizumab (minimum, 0.016 mg/kg per IgE IU/mL every 4 weeks) or matched placebo. The effects of omalizumab on asthma-related outcomes were assessed for patients with cat allergen sensitivity (n = 811), identified by positive skin-prick test. The mean number of asthma exacerbations requiring treatment with systemic steroid bursts in cat allergen-sensitive patients was lower in those receiving omalizumab versus placebo (0.6 versus 1.3, respectively; relative risk = 0.50, p < 0.001). Compared with placebo, omalizumab treatment led to significantly lower asthma symptom scores (least squares means (LSMs) treatment difference [95% confidence interval {CI}]: -0.57 [-0.77, -0.37]; p < 0.001), less rescue medication use (LSMs treatment difference [95% CI]: -0.75 puffs of rescue beta-agonist per day [-1.04, -0.46]; p < 0.001), and improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (LSMs treatment difference [95% CI]: 100.84 mL [51.86, 149.81]; p < 0.001). Patient and investigator global evaluations of treatment effectiveness paralleled these outcomes. Omalizumab improved asthma control by reducing exacerbations and decreasing symptoms in cat-allergic patients with moderate-to-severe persistent IgE-mediated asthma.
authors.affiliation: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey 07936-1080, USA. marc.massanari@novartis.com
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Massanari
authors.forename: Farid
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kianifard
authors.forename: Robert K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Zeldin
authors.forename: Gregory P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Geba
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D002415:Cats; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069444:Omalizumab; D012882:Skin Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D006023:Glycoproteins; D000069444:Omalizumab; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; C059296:Fel d 1 protein, Felis domesticus