Omalizumab, a monoclonal antibody against IgE for the treatment of allergic diseases

Omalizumab, a recombinant, humanised monoclonal antibody against human IgE, will be introduced soon for the treatment of allergic asthma. This antibody binds circulating IgE molecules and inhibits the type I immune response in the lung and other target organs. In the phase II and III studies performed, it demonstrated a significant and important effect in controlling and stabilising asthma by reducing exacerbations and the need for inhaled corticosteroids. The safety and tolerability up to one year of treatment were very good. This new treatment may have a role in patients with difficult-to-control asthma, with recurrent exacerbations, and those with concurrent asthma, nose and eye symptoms.