title: Biologics in Chronic Urticaria.
abstract: Chronic urticaria (CU) is defined as wheals, angioedema, or both, that last more than 6 weeks. Second-generation antihistamines are considered the first-line therapy for CU. Unfortunately, many patients will fail antihistamines and require alternative therapy, including immune response modifiers or biologics. Multiple biological agents have been evaluated for use in antihistamine-refractory CU, including omalizumab, rituximab, and intravenous immunoglobulin; omalizumab is the most efficacious. Because of the success of omalizumab, multiple new biologics that are directed at the IgE pathway are under investigation. This review summarizes the relevant data regarding the efficacy of biologics in antihistamine-refractory CU.
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Adeeb
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bulkhi
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Cooke
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA. Electronic address: tbcasale@health.usf.edu.
authors.forename: Thomas B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Casale
mesh_terms: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017277:Drug Approval; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000378:metabolism; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069444:Omalizumab / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000069283:Rituximab / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014581:Urticaria / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069444:Omalizumab; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D000069283:Rituximab
keywords: Biologics; Chronic urticaria; Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy; Omalizumab; Rituximab; TNF antagonist; Therapy