title: Efficacy and safety of omalizumab in paediatric age: an update of literature data.
abstract: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) was discovered in 1966 and was found responsible for immune defense against helminths, type I hypersensitivity and allergic diseases. IgE mediates allergic responses by binding to Fc receptors (the high affinity Fc-epsilon receptor I and the low affinity Fc-epsilon receptor II or CD23) expressed on tissue mast cells and blood basophils. This binding leads to degranulation and release of pro-inflammatory mediators. Considering the pivotal role of IgE in allergic diseases, antibodies against IgE potentiate an array of new therapeutic strategies and in this regard omalizumab (rhuMAb-E25, Xolair) has been developed as a monoclonal biologic drug to block serum IgEs. Although the use of omalizumab has been studied vigorously in many adult populations with allergic diseases, there are few heterogenous studies on children. There are very few ongoing clinical trials with omalizumab exclusively on children, although some adult studies have concluded pediatric patients as a part of their studies. Nevertheless, in pediatric clinical trials omalizumab has been demonstrated to be effective and safe also in this age group. Herein, the authors present a systematic review of extensive literature data on the use of omalizumab in children and adolescents.
authors.affiliation: Teheran University of Medical Science, Teheran, Iran.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Matin
authors.affiliation: Teheran University of Medical Science, Teheran, Iran.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tabatabaie
authors.affiliation: General and Acute Paediatric Operative Unit, Policlinico-Vittorio-Emanuele University Hospital, University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Falsaperla
authors.affiliation: General and Acute Paediatric Operative Unit, Policlinico-Vittorio-Emanuele University Hospital, University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pavone
authors.affiliation: ENT Department G.F. Ingrassia,Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele University Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.affiliation: ENT Department G.F. Ingrassia,Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele University Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cocuzza
authors.affiliation: ENT Department G.F. Ingrassia,Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele University Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Di Mauro
authors.affiliation: ENT Department G.F. Ingrassia,Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele University Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Licciardello
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Nephrology Operative Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lubrano
authors.affiliation: General and Acute Paediatric Operative Unit, Policlinico-Vittorio-Emanuele University Hospital, University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vitaliti
mesh_terms: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D000069444:Omalizumab / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014581:Urticaria / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000069444:Omalizumab