Which patients should be treated with anti-IgE?

In the European Union, omalizumab is indicated as add-on therapy to improve asthma control in adult and adolescent patients (>= 12 yrs of age) with severe persistent allergic asthma who have a positive skin test or in vitro reactivity to a perennial aeroallergen, and who, despite receiving daily high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and a long-acting beta(2)-agonist, have the following characteristics: reduced lung function (forced expiratory volume in one second < 80%); frequent daytime symptoms or night-time awakenings; and multiple documented severe asthma exacerbations. Omalizumab is indicated for patients with baseline total immunoglobulin E levels of 30-700 IU center dot mL(-1). Patients who receive omalizumab should be assessed by their physician after 16 weeks and treatment continued only if there has been a marked improvement in asthma control. Omalizumab is administered by subcutaneous injection every 2 or 4 weeks at a dosage determined using a dosing table based on the patient's pre-treatment serum total immunoglobulin E levels and body weight.