Omalizumab, an anti-IgE antibody, in the treatment of adults and adolescents with perennial allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND

Treatment with omalizumab, an anti-IgE antibody, improves symptoms and quality of life in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis but has not previously been investigated in patients with perennial symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of omalizumab in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR).

METHODS

Two hundred eighty-nine patients (aged 12 to 70 years) with moderate-to-severe symptomatic PAR were randomized to 16 weeks' double-blind subcutaneous treatment with either placebo (n = 145) or omalizumab (at least 0.016 mg/kg/IgE [IU/mL] per 4 weeks; n = 144). The primary efficacy variable was the mean daily nasal severity score, as determined from patient daily diary cards. Secondary efficacy variables included use of rescue antihistamine, rhinoconjunctivitis-specific quality of life (RQoL), and patients' evaluation of treatment efficacy. Safety and tolerability were evaluated from adverse event reports and laboratory safety parameters.

RESULTS

Throughout 16 weeks of treatment, the mean daily nasal severity score was significantly lower in omalizumab-treated patients than with placebo (P < 0.001). The improvement in symptoms when taking omalizumab was paralleled by a reduction in use of rescue antihistamine (P < or = 0.005 overall) and improved RQoL relative to placebo. Patients' evaluation of treatment efficacy significantly favored omalizumab over placebo (P = 0.001). Omalizumab therapy was well tolerated. There were no safety concerns.

CONCLUSIONS

Omalizumab was safe and well tolerated in the treatment of patients with PAR, providing effective control of symptoms and improved RQoL while simultaneously minimizing reliance on rescue antihistamines.