A recombinant humanized anti-IgE monoclonal antibody (omalizumab) in the therapy of moderate-to-severe allergic asthma. 2007

Gennaro D'Amato, and Amedeo Piccolo, and Antonello Salzillo, and Paolo Noschese, and Maria D'Amato, and Gennaro Liccardi
Division of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, Department of Respiratory Diseases, High Speciality Hospital A. Cardarelli, Naples, Italy. Gdamato@qubisoft.it

The pathogenetic aspect of allergic bronchial asthma is characterized by airway inflammation with infiltration of mast cells, basophils, eosinophils, monocytes and T-helper (Th)2 lymphocytes. Most cases of asthma are atopic in nature and aeroallergens such as those released by pollens, Dermatophagoides, moulds etc, act as sensitizer and trigger agents which induce immune response through immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE is the key mediator of allergic inflammatory reaction and plays a central role in the pathogenesis of atopic-allergic diseases such as those of respiratory tract: rhinitis and bronchial asthma. Currently antiinflammatory and bronchodilation treatments, with integration of other drugs such as antileucotrienes, are effective for most of asthma patients, but there are asthmatic subjects whose disease is incompletely controlled by inhaled or systemic corticosteroids and these patients account for about 50% of the healthcare costs of asthma. A novel therapeutic approach to asthma and other allergic respiratory diseases involves interference in the action of IgE and IgE has been viewed as a target for novel immunological drug development in asthma. Monoclonal antibodies are a molecule able to interact with specific antigens and represent a very interesting options for asthma treatment and their patents. Omalizumab is a humanized recombinant monoclonal anti-IgE antibody developed for the treatment of allergic diseases and with clear efficacy in adolescent and adult patients with moderate-to-severe allergic asthma. This non-anaphylactogen anti-IgE antibody inhibits IgE functions blocking free serum IgE and inhibiting their binding to cellular receptors. By reducing serum IgE levels and IgE receptor expression on inflammatory cells in the context of allergic cascade. Omalizumab therapy is well tolerated and significantly improves symptoms, reducing asthma exacerbations and the need to use high dosage of inhaled corticosteroids to control disease. Moreover, omalizumab improves quality of life of patients with severe persistent allergic asthma that is inadequately controlled by currently available asthma medications. In conclusion omalizumab represents a really new approach to the treatment of atopic asthma and may fulfil an important need in patients with moderate-to-severe asthma.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007073 Immunoglobulin E An immunoglobulin associated with MAST CELLS. Overexpression has been associated with allergic hypersensitivity (HYPERSENSITIVITY, IMMEDIATE). IgE
D010330 Patents as Topic Works about exclusive legal rights or privileges applied to inventions, plants, etc. Trademarks,Patents as Topics,Trademark
D002986 Clinical Trials as Topic Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries. Clinical Trial as Topic
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000069444 Omalizumab An anti-IgE, recombinant, humanized monoclonal antibody which specifically binds to the C epsilon3 domain of IMMUNOGLOBULIN E, the site of high-affinity IgE receptor binding. It inhibits the binding of IgE to MAST CELLS and BASOPHILS to reduce the severity of the allergic response and is used in the management of persistent allergic ASTHMA. Xolair
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000888 Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic Antibodies which react with the individual structural determinants (idiotopes) on the variable region of other antibodies. Anti-Antibodies,Anti-Idiotype Antibodies,Antibodies, Internal Image,Antigamma Globulin Antibodies,Antiglobulins,Anti Antibodies,Anti-gamma Globulin Antibodies,Anti Idiotype Antibodies,Anti gamma Globulin Antibodies,Anti-Idiotypic Antibodies,Antibodies, Anti,Antibodies, Anti Idiotypic,Antibodies, Anti-Idiotype,Antibodies, Anti-gamma Globulin,Antibodies, Antigamma Globulin,Globulin Antibodies, Anti-gamma,Globulin Antibodies, Antigamma,Image Antibodies, Internal,Internal Image Antibodies
D000911 Antibodies, Monoclonal Antibodies produced by a single clone of cells. Monoclonal Antibodies,Monoclonal Antibody,Antibody, Monoclonal
D001249 Asthma A form of bronchial disorder with three distinct components: airway hyper-responsiveness (RESPIRATORY HYPERSENSITIVITY), airway INFLAMMATION, and intermittent AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION. It is characterized by spasmodic contraction of airway smooth muscle, WHEEZING, and dyspnea (DYSPNEA, PAROXYSMAL). Asthma, Bronchial,Bronchial Asthma,Asthmas
D012720 Severity of Illness Index Levels within a diagnostic group which are established by various measurement criteria applied to the seriousness of a patient's disorder. Illness Index Severities,Illness Index Severity

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