title: Chronic idiopathic urticaria: treatment with omalizumab.
abstract: Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is a common autoimmune skin condition characterized by spontaneously recurring hives for 6 weeks or longer. The new terminology used for CIU in most countries including Canada is chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). CSU is associated with significant psychosocial morbidity with a markedly negative impact on overall quality of life. Conventional approaches with antihistamines, even at high doses, is effective in about 50% of patients suffering from CSU. A new treatment option, omalizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against the Fc domain of IgE, has undergone the scrutiny of randomized research studies evaluating the efficacy in CSU. This editorial reviews mechanisms of action of omalizumab, efficacy, cost and potential side effect profile. Omalizumab has emerged as a very promising treatment option for patients with CSU. Future research is necessary to establish standardized protocols related to dosing as well as monitoring possible adverse effects of long-term treatment.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Chicago (Northshore University Health System), Evanston, IL, USA.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Naaman
authors: Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Gordon
authors: G
authors: Sussman
mesh_terms: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002170:Canada; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D000069444:Omalizumab; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014581:Urticaria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000069444:Omalizumab