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Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan) Jun 2024A 49-year-old man with severe eosinophilic asthma, sinusitis, and esophagitis was admitted with a sudden severe headache. The patient was diagnosed with eosinophilic...
A 49-year-old man with severe eosinophilic asthma, sinusitis, and esophagitis was admitted with a sudden severe headache. The patient was diagnosed with eosinophilic meningoencephalitis based on frontotemporal abnormalities on brain magnetic resonance imaging and high eosinophil counts in the cerebrospinal fluid. His allergic-disease control levels were poor, requiring regular oral corticosteroid (OCS) use. He was switched from anti-interleukin (IL)-5 to anti-IgE therapy because of worsening urticaria and asthma symptoms during OCS tapering. We suspect this was a case of complex eosinophilic meningoencephalitis caused by the combination of OCS tapering and anti-IL-5 therapy cessation that acquired anti-IgE antibody sensitization based on positive drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test results.
PubMed: 38839336
DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.2908-23 -
Alternative Therapies in Health and... Jun 2024This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effects of the combined use of omalizumab with conventional anti-allergy treatment for IgE-mediated allergic diseases and to...
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effects of the combined use of omalizumab with conventional anti-allergy treatment for IgE-mediated allergic diseases and to provide new treatment options for the clinical management of IgE-mediated allergic diseases.
METHODS
Patients with IgE-mediated allergic diseases who visited the Allergy Department of the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University between June 2020 and June 2022 were randomly divided into two groups: the conventional anti-allergy treatment group (control) and the experimental group receiving conventional treatment combined with omalizumab. The treatment lasted for 24 weeks, with patient follow-up and evaluation of treatment effects for seasonal allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, and urticaria.
RESULTS
The evaluation of treatment effects for seasonal allergic rhinitis, urticaria, and allergic rhinitis showed that the experimental group had significantly better outcomes than the control group.
CONCLUSION
The combined use of omalizumab with conventional anti-allergy treatment was effective in treating IgE-mediated seasonal allergic rhinitis, urticaria, and allergic asthma, providing a new therapeutic option for the clinical management of IgE-mediated allergic diseases.
PubMed: 38836729
DOI: No ID Found -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... Jun 2024
PubMed: 38830576
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.05.043 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Due to comorbidities and associated safety risks, the management of severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in pediatric and adolescent patients poses significant challenges.
IMPORTANCE
Due to comorbidities and associated safety risks, the management of severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in pediatric and adolescent patients poses significant challenges.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the efficacy and safety of systemic therapies for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in children and adolescents.
EVIDENCE REVIEW
On Feb 29, 2024, a systematic literature search was conducted in Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Central). No date restrictions were applied. Randomized clinical trials, cohort studies, large case series, and meta-analyses were assessed to evaluate the efficacy (or effectiveness) and/or safety of systemic treatments for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in children and adolescents.
FINDINGS
A preliminary search yielded 1457 results, from which 19 unique articles with a total of 3741 patients were included in the analysis. Overall, the available data for each systemic medication are limited, and the overall quality of the included studies on conventional systemic treatments is relatively low. When Dupilumab was used as a standalone treatment, 30%-40% of infants and toddlers aged 6 months to 2 years achieved EASI-75, while 50% of patients aged 2 to 6 years achieved EASI-75. In children aged 6 to 12 years, 33.0%-59.0% of atopic dermatitis patients achieved EASI-75, and when combined with topical corticosteroids (TCS), 69.7%-74.6% achieved EASI-75. Long-term data showed EASI-75 rates ranging from 75.0% to 94.0% for this age group. For adolescents aged 12 to 18 years, 40%-71% of patients achieved EASI-75 within 12 to 16 weeks, and by week 52, 80.8% of patients achieved EASI-75.Abrocitinib treatment resulted in 68.5%-72.0% of patients achieving EASI-75. Omalizumab treatment at week 24 showed a percentage change in SCORAD scores of -12.4%. In the Methotrexate treatment group, there was a SCORAD change of -26.25% at week 12, while the Cyclosporine A group had a SCORAD change of -25.01%. Patients treated with IVIG (Intravenous Immunoglobulin) showed a -34.4% change in SCORAD percentage scores at week 4, which further decreased by 47.12% at week 24. Patients receiving 4mg of Baricitinib and TCS had a 52.5% rate of EASI-75 at 16 weeks, and patients receiving different doses of upadacitinib had a 63-75% rate of EASI-75 at 16 weeks. The rate of EASI-75 at 16 weeks was around 28% in patients who received various doses of Tralokinumab.The most common adverse events observed were nasopharyngitis, respiratory events and dermatitis atopic.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Awareness of adverse events and concomitant medications is crucial, and appropriate dosing and frequent laboratory and clinical monitoring are also essential. More real-world evidence and prospective cohort studies analyzing the effectiveness and safety of systemic therapies in children and adolescents are of paramount importance for optimizing personalized, effective, and safe management of the growing population of patients with atopic dermatitis in this age group.
Topics: Humans; Dermatitis, Atopic; Child; Adolescent; Child, Preschool; Treatment Outcome; Severity of Illness Index; Infant; Female; Male; Dermatologic Agents; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
PubMed: 38812522
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1367099 -
Yonago Acta Medica May 2024Major randomized clinical trials have shown that biological therapy can reduce the exacerbation rate and oral corticosteroid (OCS) dosage in patients with severe...
BACKGROUND
Major randomized clinical trials have shown that biological therapy can reduce the exacerbation rate and oral corticosteroid (OCS) dosage in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. However, data on the continuation, efficacy, and safety of biological therapy in older patients with asthma are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in the continuation rate, efficacy, and safety of biological therapy between older (≥ 65 years) and younger (< 65 years) patients with asthma.
METHODS
In this single-center retrospective observational study, we collected clinical data of patients with asthma who were administered biological drugs such as omalizumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab, and dupilumab between April 2009 and August 2022. We comparatively analyzed the continuation, efficacy, and safety of biological therapy between older (age ≥ 65 years) and younger patient (age < 65 years) groups. The reasons for discontinuation or switching of biological drugs were also evaluated.
RESULTS
Sixty-two (31 older and 31 younger) patients were treated with 91 biologics during the observational period. The mean age of older patients was 74.3 ± 5.1 years and that of younger patients was 48.0 ± 14.0 years. The continuation rate of biological therapy was not significantly different between the groups. Social background was the most common reason for discontinuation of biological therapy in both groups, and insufficient effect was the most common reason for switching to biological drugs. Asthma exacerbations decreased in both groups within the first 12 months of biologic therapy. The dosage of OCS tended to decrease in the older group and significantly decrease in the younger group.
CONCLUSION
Biologic therapy for older patients with asthma can be continued, with efficacy and safety similar to those in younger patients with asthma.
PubMed: 38803591
DOI: 10.33160/yam.2024.05.003 -
The World Allergy Organization Journal May 2024The food allergy (FA) entity went through a long difficult road which led to much delay in its recognition. After long periods of denial and misdiagnosis, it attained... (Review)
Review
The food allergy (FA) entity went through a long difficult road which led to much delay in its recognition. After long periods of denial and misdiagnosis, it attained its current designation as food hypersensitivity or allergy. This review will briefly address the evolution of the FA entity from the early BC era until our 21st century and highlight the milestones in the main aspects of diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research. A great recognition of the allergy specialty was gained by the discovery of its main mediator -immunoglobulin E in 1967 - which also helped in classifying FA into IgE-mediated (immediate-type) and non-IgE-mediated. The cause of the increasing prevalence during the past few decades may be attributed to an increased food consumption and the consequences of modern lifestyle (the hygiene hypothesis). In addition to a skillful medical history-taking, helpful tests have been developed involving the skin or blood. The scratch test was modified to the prick test and in certain instances prick-by-prick. The use of intradermal test has been markedly reduced. Blood testing began by measuring specific-IgE antibodies (sIgE) in the serum using the radioallergosorbent test which went through multiple modifications to avoid radioisotope material and increase the test's sensitivity. The test was advanced to measure sIgE to individual allergen components. Recently, cellular tests were developed in the form of basophil activation or mast cell activation. In most cases, FA needs verification by appropriately-designed challenge testing. Regarding treatment, strict avoidance remains the basic approach. Certain food-labeling regulations led to some improvement in the problem of hidden food allergens but more is desired. Recently some protocols for oral immunotherapy (OIT) showed reasonable safety and efficacy in preventing reactions to accidental exposures. The protocol for peanut has been approved in the United States and other foods are expected to follow. Epicutaneous immunotherapy showed higher safety and promising efficacy. Sublingual immunotherapy might follow as well. Studies on the use of certain biologicals, alone or in combination of OIT, showed promising findings. Very recently, omalizumab was approved in the United States for patients with multiple FA. A major change in the strategy of prevention is the benefit of introducing allergenic foods at an early age (4-6 months). Research on FA markedly flourished in recent decades with increasing numbers of investigators, funding, publications, and education. Despite the major strides, still more awaits exploration with expected better understanding and practice of FA.
PubMed: 38800498
DOI: 10.1016/j.waojou.2024.100912 -
Archives of Dermatological Research May 2024While several studies have examined the role of T cells and related cytokines in the development of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), there is a limited amount of...
While several studies have examined the role of T cells and related cytokines in the development of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), there is a limited amount of research focusing on the changes in cytokine levels during omalizumab treatment. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the inflammatory cytokine profile (including IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, IL-31, IL-33, and TNFα) among CSU patients undergoing to omalizumab treatment. Plasma levels of cytokines were measured using ELISA. Measurements were taken before CSU treatment, at the 3rd and 6th months of omalizumab treatment, and once in the control group. The severity of the patients' disease was assessed using the weekly Urticaria Activity Score(UAS7), and disease control was evaluated using the Urticaria Control Test(UCT). Thirty-one CSU patients and 56 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were included. Plasma levels of IL-4 and IL-33 were significantly lower in patients with CSU compared to healthy controls (p = 0.001; p = 0.038, respectively). During omalizumab treatment, IL-4 levels showed a significant increase in the 3rd month compared to baseline (p = 0.01), and IL-5 levels significantly decreased in the 6th month compared to both the 3rd month and baseline (6th month vs. baseline; p = 0.006, 6th month vs. 3rd month; p = 0.001). One potential mechanism of action for omalizumab may involve its regulatory effects on type 2 inflammatory cytokines in CSU patients. This finding partially explains the efficacy of anti-IL-4/13 treatments in chronic spontaneous urticaria. Further investigations on drugs targeting type 2 inflammatory cytokines in CSU are warranted.
Topics: Humans; Omalizumab; Female; Male; Adult; Chronic Urticaria; Middle Aged; Cytokines; Anti-Allergic Agents; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome; Case-Control Studies; Young Adult
PubMed: 38795119
DOI: 10.1007/s00403-024-02966-6 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Apr 2024The guidelines for chronic urticaria in children contain recommendations that are often based on adult studies. The diagnostic pathway has not been standardized and the... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
The guidelines for chronic urticaria in children contain recommendations that are often based on adult studies. The diagnostic pathway has not been standardized and the effectiveness of anti-H1, omalizumab, montelukast, and systemic glucocorticoids is rarely reported in the pediatric population. There is a wide variation in the rate of remission of chronic urticaria between studies. The aim of this study is to enhance our understanding of pediatric chronic urticaria. This study enrolled 37 children with chronic urticaria aged from 0 to 18 years. Demographic parameters, medical history, clinical features, laboratory data and treatment information were collected. Children were treated with the recommended dosage of second-generation H1-antihistamines, which was increased by up to twofold. Omalizumab was added for refractory anti-H1 patients. A three-day course with systemic glucocorticoids was administered for severe exacerbations. Montelukast was administered to some children. : Wheals without angioedema were common. Chronic urticaria was spontaneous in 32 children (86.48%), inducible in 2 (5.41%), induced by a parasite in 1 and vasculitic in 2. Treatment of the potential causes of chronic urticaria was of no benefit, except for eradication of Dientamoeba fragilis. Chronic urticaria was resolved within three years in 45.9% of cases. Allergic diseases were present in nine children (24.32%) and autoimmune diseases were present in three (8.11%). All children were treated with anti-H1 at the licensed dose or at a higher dose. A partial or complete response to anti-H1 was observed in 29 (78.38%) patients. Montelukast showed no benefit. All children treated with omalizumab responded. Systemic glucocorticoids were successfully used to treat exacerbations. Our findings indicate that laboratory tests should not be routinely performed in children with chronic urticaria without clinical suspicion. However, comorbidities such as thyroid autoimmune disease and coeliac disease are suggested to be monitored over the chronic urticaria course. These clinical conditions could be diagnosed from the diagnostic framework of chronic urticaria. Increasing the dosage of anti-H1 and omalizumab was effective in children resistant to standard treatment but we still need further studies to generate a standard patient-centered treatment.
Topics: Humans; Child; Female; Male; Child, Preschool; Adolescent; Chronic Urticaria; Infant; Sulfides; Cyclopropanes; Quinolines; Acetates; Omalizumab; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Glucocorticoids; Anti-Allergic Agents; Infant, Newborn; Chronic Disease; Urticaria
PubMed: 38792886
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60050704 -
Biomedicines May 2024Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) exacerbated respiratory disease (N-ERD) is associated with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), asthma, and...
BACKGROUND
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) exacerbated respiratory disease (N-ERD) is associated with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), asthma, and NSAID hypersensitivity. An overproduction of leukotrienes characterizes the pathomechanism of the disease. N-ERD patients often report breathing difficulties after consuming alcohol. These symptoms have been observed in patients receiving either aspirin therapy after desensitization (ATAD), therapy with the biologics dupilumab (anti-IL-4Ra antibody) and omalizumab (anti-IgE antibody), or intranasal corticosteroid treatment (INCS).
METHODS
This retrospective, real-world study assessed the severity of alcohol-related and non-alcohol-related respiratory symptoms in CRSwNP/N-ERD patients 3-6 months after ATAD, biologic (dupilumab or omalizumab), or INCS therapy. A total of 171 patients (98 women and 73 men) were enrolled in the study. All groups received standard INCS therapy. Sixty-three patients were treated with ATAD; 48 received biologics (dupilumab = 31; omalizumab = 17); and 60 received INCS only and served as a control group. Alcohol-dependent symptoms and typical CRS symptoms (alcohol-independent) were quantified using visual analog scales (VAS).
RESULTS
ATAD and biological therapy significantly reduced VAS scores for alcohol dependence and CRS symptoms. In the control group receiving INCS, only non-alcohol dependent CRS symptoms improved significantly ( < 0.05). The most significant differences in pre/post scores were observed in patients receiving dupilumab, with the most significant improvement in alcohol-dependent and CRS symptoms (dupilumab > omalizumab > ATAD).
CONCLUSIONS
This real-world study shows that alcohol-related respiratory symptoms are a relevant parameter in CRSwNP/N-ERD patients. Patients benefit more from biologic therapy than from ATAD in terms of their alcohol-related symptoms and other CRS symptoms. Future studies should include placebo-controlled oral alcohol challenge.
PubMed: 38790987
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051025 -
Skin Research and Technology : Official... May 2024Omalizumab is the only licensed drug that serves as a third-line treatment for chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). The optimum doses of omalizumab remain controversial.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Omalizumab is the only licensed drug that serves as a third-line treatment for chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). The optimum doses of omalizumab remain controversial. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the efficacy and safety of different doses of omalizumab in the treatment of CIU patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Four databases were searched from the database's creation to April 8, 2023. Several keywords such as omalizumab and urticarias were used to retrieve related studies. The meta-analytical outcomes were analyzed in R 4.2.1 software and Stata 15.1 software. Cochrane risk-of-bias tool Ver. 2 was used to evaluate the risk of bias in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
RESULTS
In total, 2331 patients were included. Five indexes were employed to assess, including weekly Itch Severity Score (ISS7), weekly Hive Severity Score (HSS7), weekly Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and adverse events (AE). A 300 mg dose of omalizumab was the optimum dose to treat CIU, followed by the 150 mg dose. Furthermore, 600 mg of omalizumab only showed a significant difference from the placebo in HSS7. No significant statistical difference was observed in AE. Meta-regression analysis revealed that time, as a covariate, was statistically significant in the comparison of omalizumab 150 mg with placebo.
CONCLUSION
300 mg of omalizumab was the optimum dosage to treat CIU patients, with a 150 mg dose also exhibiting good efficacy. Further studies are required to explore the efficacy and safety of different doses of omalizumab in the treatment of CIU patients.
Topics: Omalizumab; Humans; Chronic Urticaria; Anti-Allergic Agents; Treatment Outcome; Network Meta-Analysis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Quality of Life; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
PubMed: 38776128
DOI: 10.1111/srt.13749