Anti-Ige Monoclonal Antibody

ANTI-IGE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY

Treatment with omalizumab, the monoclonal humanized anti-IgE antibody, is reserved for patients with chronic severe asthma inad-equately controlled by high-dose inhaled corticosteroid plus long-acting β-agonist combination treatment (eg, fluticasone, 500 mcg, plus salmeterol, 50 mcg, inhaled twice daily). Omalizumab reduces lymphocytic, eosinophilic bronchial inflammation and effectively reduces the frequency and severity of exacerbations. It is reserved for patients with demonstrated IgE-mediated sensitiv-ity (by positive skin test or radioallergosorbent test [RAST] to common allergens) and an IgE level within a range that can be reduced sufficiently by twice-weekly subcutaneous injection.