Retreatment with omalizumab results in rapid remission in chronic spontaneous and inducible urticaria.
OBJECTIVE
Omalizumab has emerged as a novel and effective treatment option for patients with antihistamine-resistant chronic urticaria. It is unclear whether patients with recurrent urticaria symptoms after discontinuation of omalizumab treatment can benefit from retreatment.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the response of patients with chronic urticaria who receive omalizumab retreatment.


METHODS
Retrospective analyses were conducted of outpatients treated at an urticaria specialist center of a university hospital. Participants included 25 consecutive patients (aged 18-74 years; 18 women) with chronic spontaneous urticaria, chronic inducible urticaria, or both who showed complete response to omalizumab treatment, experienced relapse after discontinuation of treatment, and received retreatment with omalizumab.


METHODS
Subcutaneous treatment with omalizumab (150-600 mg/mo).


METHODS
Response after retreatment was assessed by the urticaria activity score in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria and by trigger threshold testing (in patients with cold urticaria or symptomatic dermographism) and/or a carefully determined history (in patients with cholinergic urticaria, solar urticaria, or pressure urticaria). Adverse events were documented.


RESULTS
All patients experienced complete response after retreatment. None of the patients reported relevant adverse events during omalizumab treatment and retreatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Omalizumab retreatment is effective and safe in patients with chronic urticaria who have benefited from initial omalizumab treatment.
Department of Dermatology, Venerology, and Allergology, Allergie-Centrum-Charité, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Martin
M
Metz
Department of Dermatology, Venerology, and Allergology, Allergie-Centrum-Charité, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Tatevik
T
Ohanyan
Department of Dermatology, Venerology, and Allergology, Allergie-Centrum-Charité, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Martin K
MK
Church
Department of Dermatology, Venerology, and Allergology, Allergie-Centrum-Charité, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Marcus
M
Maurer
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069444:Omalizumab; D061214:Patient Safety; D012008:Recurrence; D019233:Retreatment / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014581:Urticaria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000069444:Omalizumab