Chapter 4

Omalizumab Therapy for Allergic Diseases

Juan Antonio Martinez-Tadeo, Eva Perez-Rodriguez and Zulay Almeida-Sanchez

Abstract

The antibody omalizumab is a humanized anti-IgE monoclonal binding to IgE circulating preventing binding to receptors and thereby inhibiting the cascade of allergic inflammation. Besides achieving a reduction in expression of IgE receptors on the surface of basophils and expression of high affinity receptor for IgE on the surface of dendritic cells. Its use has been approved for patients aged 6 years old with moderate to severe allergic asthma, also has been effective in other diseases such as asthma of occupational origin, seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, chronic urticaria difficult to control and helping to better tolerance immunotherapy. The results obtained in different studies on treatment with omalizumab in severe atopic dermatitis are contradictory. While providing a promising effect in the treatment of food and drug allergy more longterm studies are needed.

Total Pages: 118-161 (44)

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