Omalizumab (rhuMAb-E25) - A recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody for the treatment of refractory asthma

While many factors are associated with the development of asthma, IgE-depen dent allergy is a major component of airway inflammation and is very common in patients with asthma. Involvement of inflammatory cells and inflammator y mediators is dependent on binding of allergen-specific immunoglobulin E ( IgE) to target cells. An innovative approach to asthma therapy involves neu tralizing circulating IgE via subcutaneous injection of an anti-IgE antibod y-rhuMAb-E25, or omalizumab-every 2 to 4 weeks. In clinical trials, this re combinant humanized monoclonal antibody has been shown to inhibit early- an d late-phase response to allergen challenge. In the one major published stu dy to date, omalizumab improved asthma symptoms and reduced the need for or al corticosteroids. Additional recent trials suggest that omalizumab is ass ociated with reduced inhaled corticosteroid doses and is well tolerated. Ho wever, because other safe and highly efficacious treatments already exist, omalizumab, which is expected to be expensive, should generally be reserved for severe asthma that is refractory to conventional long-term management.