The role of omalizumab in the treatment of adults with severe allergic asthma

Background: Omalizumab is a recombinant humanized anti-IgE antibody. It has been used in the treatment of severe allergic asthma since 2007 in Slovenija. Our clinical experience with omalizumab-treated severe allergic asthma patients are presented in this manuscript. Methods: Severe asthma patients who have started tretment with omalizumab at our clinic from october 2007 to december 2011 were included in this study. Patients were treated with subcutaneus applications of omalizumab every 2 or 4 weeks, dosed according to body weight and baseline IgE. Outcome measures after one year of treatment were: pulmonary function measured as FEV1, ACT (athma control test) score, number of asthma exacerbations/year, the dose of methylprednisolone needed in regular asthma tretment, and side effects. Results: We included 15 patients with severe allergic asthma in the treatment with omalizumab side effects which would require discontinuation of treatment. Conclusions: Omalizumab represents a novel therapeutic approach to the treatment of severe allergic asthma. It reduces the rate of asthma exacerbation, improves asthma control and the quality of life. It has a steroid sparing effect.