Omalizumab (anti-IgE) for asthma in inner-city children

January 01, 0001

Omalizumab (anti-IgE) for asthma in inner-city children

These US investigators enrolled inner-city children, adolescents, and young adults with persistent asthma in a randomized, double- blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial at multiple centers to assess the effectiveness of omalizumab (anti-IgE), as compared with placebo, when added to guidelines-based therapy. The trial was conducted for 60 weeks, and the primary outcome was symptoms of asthma.

They found: "Among 419 participants who underwent randomization (at which point 73% had moderate or severe disease), omalizumab as compared with placebo significantly reduced the number of days with asthma symptoms, from 1.96 to 1.48 days per 2-week interval, a 24.5% decrease. Similarly, omalizumab significantly reduced the proportion of participants who had one or more exacerbations from 48.8 to 30.3%. Improvements occurred with omalizumab despite reductions in the use of inhaled glucocorticoids and long-acting beta- agonists."

The authors concluded: "When added to a regimen of guidelines- based therapy for inner-city children, adolescents, and young adults, omalizumab further improved asthma control, nearly eliminated seasonal peaks in exacerbations, and reduced the need for other medications to control asthma."

A promising new therapy.


For the full abstract, click here.

N Engl J Med 364:1005-1015, 17 March 2011 © 2011 to the Massachusetts Medical Society
Randomized Trial of Omalizumab (Anti-IgE) for Asthma in Inner-City Children. William W. Busse, Wayne J. Morgan, Peter J. Gergen, et al. Correspondence to Dr. Busse: [email protected]

Category: R. Respiratory, B. Blood/Immune Mechanisms. Keywords: omalizumab, asthma, children, young adults, urban, anti-IgE, randomized controlled trial, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Linda French, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 5 April 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

COVID-19 Resources

WONCA webinars, journal links and more

WONCA position statements

WONCA statements on a variety of issues

PEARLS

577 Individual behavioural counselling helps people to quit smoking 575 Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements may be beneficial in age-related macular degeneration 574 Oral antifungals effective for toenail onychomycosis 570 Decision aids beneficial for people facing health treatment or screening decisions 569 Computer-generated reminders on paper benefit quality of care