Long-term benefits of omalizumab in a patient with severe non-allergic asthma

Abstract

Introduction: Currently, omalizumab is indicated for the treatment of patients with severe allergic uncontrolled asthma despite optimal therapy.Case presentation: We studied a 52-year-old man who has been suffering from severe non allergic steroid-resistant asthma with increased levels of total IgE and a lot of comorbidity. After a 3 years long treatment with omalizumab, he presented a significant improvement in disease control in terms of hospitalizations, exacerbation, quality of life and lung function with good safety profile.Conclusion: Our case shows, after a long follow-up, how omalizumab can be effective in a severe form of non-atopic asthma. It is therefore hoped that further studies can identify indicators that are able to give to clinicians information about patients who can be responsive to monoclonal anti-IgE antibody even if non allergic. © 2011 Menzella et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.