[Disease modification and duration of omalizumab treatment in patients with severe allergic asthma].
METHODS
Omalizumab is a monoclonal anti-IgE-antibody that is used to treat severe allergic asthma. The aim of this review was to evaluate the available evidence in a panel of experts and to provide recommendations on therapy duration with omalizumab.


RESULTS
A direct or indirect interaction between omalizumab and IgE production seems likely. Pharmacokinetic-pharmakodynamic models suggest that omalizumab modulates IgE production. This hypothesis is currently investigated in clinical studies. In addition, available evidence suggests that omalizumab mitigates different factors of airway remodeling. However, based on the currently available data, no recommendations can be given in regard to reduction of dosage or discontinuation of omalizumab in long term treated patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Currently, neither dose reductions nor treatment withdrawal can be recommended in patients with severe allergic asthma and long term treatment with omalizumab. Clinical studies addressing these issues are being conducted.
Universitätsklinikum der Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Abteilung für Pneumologie.
J
J
Schreiber
Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Pädiatrische Pneumologie und Allergologie, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Mitglied des Deutschen Zentrums für Lungenforschung (DZL).
M V
MV
Kopp
Universitätsmedizin der Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, III. Medizinische Klinik und Polyklinik, Schwerpunkt Pneumologie.
S
S
Korn
Leiden University Medical Center, Dept. of Pulmonology.
C
C
Taube
Universitätsmedizin der Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, III. Medizinische Klinik und Polyklinik, Schwerpunkt Pneumologie.
R
R
Buhl
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*; D000069444:Omalizumab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000069444:Omalizumab; D007073:Immunoglobulin E