title: Omalizumab is effective in allergic and nonallergic patients with nasal polyps and asthma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adult patients with nasal polyps often have comorbid asthma, adding to the serious effect on the quality of life of these patients. Nasal polyps and asthma might represent a therapeutic challenge; inflammation in both diseases shares many features, such as airway eosinophilia, local IgE formation, and a T(H)2 cytokine profile. Omalizumab is a human anti-IgE mAb with proved efficacy in patients with severe allergic asthma. Omalizumab could be a treatment option for patients with nasal polyps and asthma.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of omalizumab in patients with nasal polyps and comorbid asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of allergic and nonallergic patients with nasal polyps and comorbid asthma (n = 24) was conducted. Subjects received 4 to 8 (subcutaneous) doses of omalizumab (n = 16) or placebo (n = 8). The primary end point was reduction in total nasal endoscopic polyp scores after 16 weeks. Secondary end points included a change in sinus computed tomographic scans, nasal and asthma symptoms, results of validated questionnaires (Short-Form Health Questionnaire, 31-item Rhinosinusitis Outcome Measuring Instrument, and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire), and serum/nasal secretion biomarker levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant decrease in total nasal endoscopic polyp scores after 16 weeks in the omalizumab-treated group (-2.67, P = .001), which was confirmed by means of computed tomographic scanning (Lund-Mackay score). Omalizumab had a beneficial effect on airway symptoms (nasal congestion, anterior rhinorrhea, loss of sense of smell, wheezing, and dyspnea) and on quality-of-life scores, irrespective of the presence of allergy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Omalizumab demonstrated clinical efficacy in the treatment of nasal polyps with comorbid asthma, supporting the importance and functionality of local IgE formation in the airways.
authors.affiliation: Upper Airways Research Laboratory, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. philippe.gevaert@UGent.be
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gevaert
authors.forename: Lien
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Calus
authors.forename: Thibaut
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Van Zele
authors.forename: Katrien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Blomme
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: De Ruyck
authors.forename: Wouter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bauters
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hellings
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brusselle
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Bacquer
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: van Cauwenberge
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bachert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018926:Anti-Allergic 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 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000069444:Omalizumab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000069444:Omalizumab