Efficacy of omalizumab in asthma control

The long-term efficacy of omalizumab in children and adolescents with asthma in real life settings is unknown.

Study

• A study was conducted to assess if omalizumab can offer long-term and sustained efficacy by means of maintaining good asthma control.
• The study was a multi-centre case note review of children (aged <18 years; n=79), who were on omalizumab for persistent allergic asthma.
• The mean IgE at baseline was 1000 (57-1300).
• The total mean daily inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) dose equivalent to fluticasone propionate was 617mcg (400-1000); 37 patients (47%) were receiving daily oral steroids at baseline.

Study findings

Change in the number of patients receiving oral steoids

• NUmber of patients reduced from 17 at 1 year to 9 at 24 months.

Courses of oral corticosteroids (OCS) for exacerbations

• Reduced from median of 6 during a period of 12 months before omalizumab to 1 during the first 12 months after omalizumab

Mean astham control test (ACT)

• Scores increased from 12 to 18 (baseline vs. at 12 months)

Proportion of “well controlled” patients

• 46% of patients receiving omalizumab at 12 months could meet the definition of “well controlled

Omalizumab was able to improve asthma control in ~50% of the patients and most of them on OCS were able to stop over time. In several patients, there was a suboptimal control.