Omalizumab in Patients with Severe Asthma and Persistent Sputum Eosinophilia: L40

Abstract

Omalizumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the IgE molecule, is the first biologic approved for moderate‐to‐severe allergic asthmatics, who remain uncontrolled despite high dose inhaled corticosteroid and bronchodilators. Steroid‐sparing effect of omalizumab has not been demonstrated in asthmatics with persistent airway eosinophilia in a randomised controlled trial till date. From this double‐blind, placebo‐ controlled, multi‐centred, randomized parallel group design, we report that omalizumab is possibly inadequate to control sputum eosinophilia, and therefore may not have a steroid‐sparing effect, especially in those maintained on oral corticosteroids daily. This needs to be confirmed or refuted in a larger trial, which may be a challenge with respect to recruitment, since there are currently three additional biologics available to prescribe. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02049294, Registered 30th January 2014, https ://clini caltr ials.gov/ct2/show/ NCT02 04929 4