title: Effects of omalizumab in patients with food allergy.
abstract: Omalizumab is a novel therapy approved for treating patients with moderate to severe persistent allergic asthma with a serum IgE ranging from 30 to 700 IU/mL. We examined the efficacy of omalizumab as a treatment for IgE-mediated food allergy. An Institutional Review Board-approved prospective pilot study was performed to assess the efficacy of omalizumab in 22 patients with persistent asthma and concomitant IgE-mediated food allergy. All patients showed skin test positivity to foods and experienced allergic food reactions based on history. Patients were interviewed on unintentional and/or unauthorized exposures to sensitized foods. Thirteen female and nine male patients (range, 4-66 years old; mean, 38 years) were evaluated in a private practice setting. Mean IgE level was 1120.74 IU/mL. Sensitized allergens included fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, soybean, and wheat. All 22 (100%) patients maintained significant improvement as shown by a decrease/lack of clinical symptoms on reexposure to sensitized foods. Clinical improvement by the sixth dosage of omalizumab (150-300 mg q. 2-4 weeks) was noted by history and physical examination. Eight patients noted a decrease in their food-induced atopic dermatitis, 13 patients noted a decrease in their food-induced asthma symptoms, 3 patients noted a decrease in their food-induced urticaria, 6 patients noted a decrease in their food-induced rhinosinusitis symptoms, and 9 patients showed efficacy for angioedema and/or anaphylaxis. While treating asthma patients with omalizumab, patients subjectively observed a reduction in their concomitant IgE-mediated food allergy symptoms.
authors.affiliation: VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System/University of California-Los Angeles, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA. asifrafi1@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Asif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rafi
authors.forename: LanAnh T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Do
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Lee E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Sheinkopf
authors.forename: Caroline Watson
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Simons
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Klaustermeyer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069444:Omalizumab; D021183:Peanut Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D012882:Skin Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000069444:Omalizumab; D007073:Immunoglobulin E