title: Omalizumab in the treatment of asthma.
abstract: Omalizumab was introduced in 2003 and is the first asthma drug to target IgE, the allergic antibody that initiates the allergic cascade. Well-controlled studies and post-marketing clinical experience have shown it to be an effective and safe medication. Treatment guidelines now recommend omalizumab as an add-on option for patients with moderate-to-severe allergic asthma uncontrolled on high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β-agonists. Despite initial concerns, there is no evidence of any association with malignancy at this time. In our opinion, omalizumab is well-tolerated and significantly improves pulmonary function, decreases clinical symptoms and improves the quality of life in patients with uncontrolled allergic asthma.
authors.affiliation: California Allergy and Asthma Medical Group Inc., 11645 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1155, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Corren
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000069444:Omalizumab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000069444:Omalizumab